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(1st March 2017) A new project, bringing an even better value to Copernicus data, has started today. GeoVille is excited about the potential of the “Earth Observation Value Adding Services (EO VAS)” project and the cooperation with Sinergise – a GIS IT company situated in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The objective of EO VAS is to reshape the Earth Observation Value Chain by significantly simplifying development and delivery of Earth Observation Added Value Services. It is built around Sinergise’s engine for archiving, processing and distribution of satellite data, and GeoVille’s extensive set of processing algorithms.

EO VAS is focusing on agriculture and non-life insurance as well as on the entire optical EO space industry application domain field. The main delivery of the project is an EO-Toolset that has the ambition to become the first virtual market place for EO VAS, where all participants in the EO value chain (end-users, data and service providers) can benefit.

The project’s innovation hub will foster development of EO services, becoming a virtual meeting place for the exchange of new ideas and encourages experimenting with EO VAS. It will present a virtual business incubator for emerging EO oriented start-ups that lack the means to commercialise their EO services by themselves.

The H2020 financed project, will provide a pre-processing engine for other EO domain services, helping them to reduce pre-processing costs and to turn their attention into domain expertise and higher quality of their products.


Group Picture of the Kick-off meeting

(February 13, 2017) WESTMINSTER, Colo.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—DigitalGlobe, Inc. (NYSE: DGI), the global leader in Earth imagery and information about our changing planet, announced a partnership with Esri and Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), which will enable Esri users to access DigitalGlobe’s 17-year, time-lapse library of high-resolution satellite imagery and the analytical and deep learning tools needed to unlock actionable insights from that imagery at scale.

The new AllAccess+Analytics service integrates DigitalGlobe’s Geospatial Big Data platform, GBDX, with Esri’s ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5 platform and Harris’ ENVI remote sensing analytics portfolio. This offering allows subscribers to select DigitalGlobe imagery for hosting in the GBDX platform and to leverage GBDX machine learning algorithms, including capabilities developed by DigitalGlobe’s ever-growing ecosystem of GBDX developers, Esri Raster Analytics, and ENVI analytics in an integrated environment. Users will be able to access and define the analytics to be performed within their federated enterprise GIS to gain new insights from Earth observation data.

“The AllAccess+Analytics offering will allow subscribers to tap into more than 100 petabytes of the world’s highest-quality commercial satellite imagery and the industry’s most advanced analytic and machine learning tools,” said John-Isaac Clark, head of Platform Product Development at DigitalGlobe. “By integrating directly with the Esri environment used by tens of thousands GIS professionals every day, we are making it easier to access our industry-leading image library and answer complex questions at global scale with world-class analytical capabilities.”

“AllAccess+Analytics truly makes the massive temporal archive of DigitalGlobe imagery quickly accessible both for viewing and analysis,” said Peter Becker, Product Manager for Imagery at Esri. “By running ArcGIS Image Server next to the cloud storage, access to the information content in the imagery is significantly improved.”

The AllAccess+Analytics subscription service will be sold by DigitalGlobe to Esri customers licensed for ArcGIS Image Server 10.5 (deployed in Amazon Web Services US-EAST-1 region). The service will be launched to a select number of initial customers in the coming months, with broader availability later in the year. Click here to learn more about the service and request an invitation to join the program.

About DigitalGlobe

DigitalGlobe is a leading provider of commercial high-resolution Earth observation and advanced geospatial solutions that help decision makers better understand our changing planet in order to save lives, resources and time. Sourced from the world’s leading constellation, our imagery solutions deliver unmatched coverage and capacity to meet our customers’ most demanding mission requirements. Each day customers in defense and intelligence, public safety, civil agencies, map making and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure management, navigation technology, and providers of location-based services depend on DigitalGlobe data, information, technology and expertise to gain actionable insight.

Contacts
Media Contact
Edelman for DigitalGlobe: Ashley Chauvin, (212) 277-3818
DigitalGlobe@edelman.com
or
Investor Relations Contact: DigitalGlobe
Fred Graffam, (303) 684-1692
ir@digitalglobe.com

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Mappy, the second most used webmapping service in France after Google Maps, includes PlanetSAT 15 global imagery basemap from PlanetObserver

The business website Journal du Net has just released the ranking of the most visited desktop webmapping websites in France. In second place after Google Maps, we find Mappy with 7.4 million visitors!

This is a great success for Mappy and for PlanetObserver as well as supplier of the imagery basemap used by this French webmapping service. For more than six years, Mappy has adopted PlanetSAT 15 imagery basemap that offers a global coverage. Processed seamless in natural colours, PlanetSAT 15 satellite imagery provides detailed and reliable geographic information.

More info

Rome, November 8, 2016 – Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo-Finmeccanica (33%), announced today that it has signed an amendment to the original contract for the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) program with Italian space agency ASI. Worth 77 million euros, this contract is vital, since it covers the remaining operations to complete the program. Thales Alenia Space Italy will receive 66 million euros of the total, while space services affiliate Telespazio will receive 11 million euros.

Thales Alenia Space Italy is responsible for the overall COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation program, including construction of the two satellites, while Telespazio is responsible for designing and developing the ground segment and providing the integrated logistics and operations services.

Leonardo also contributes to the program by supplying attitude sensors and state of the art equipment that will process and distribute electric power throughout the satellites.

This contract kicks off phase D2/E1 of the program, which entails all operations needed to complete construction of the second satellite (FM-2), the launch of both satellites and the verification and operational validation of the entire system with the two satellites in orbit. The launch of the first satellite is planned in 2018, with the second following a year later.

These state-of-the-art satellites feature the last technologies and engineering solutions. The overall system, including the ground segment, will set the performance standard for space-based radar observation systems, in terms of precision, image quality and flexible user services. It is designed as a “dual use” (civil/military) system, to meet the requirements of scientific, commercial and government customers.

Ever since the launch of the first satellite in 2007, the COSMO-SkyMed program has been an exceptional tool for observing our planet. With its innovative operational capabilities, it contributes to the continuous monitoring of the Earth’s surface, to safety-related needs and to the management of natural events, as shown recently by the damage assessment activities and support to rescue operations following the earthquakes that hit central Italy.

The development of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation system will guarantee a quantum leap in terms of technology, performance and service life, consequently, strengthening Italian leadership in the Earth Observation sector on a global level. Moreover, strategic international partnerships, such as those already established with France and Poland regarding the COSMO-SkyMed reception and processing of data and data products, will also be extended.

COSMO-SkyMed, financed by the Italian space agency, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Education, University and Research, is the first dual-use Earth observation system. Its four satellites monitor the entire Earth from space, day and night, under any weather conditions, using high-resolution X-band radars. The program was developed in conjunction with both large aerospace corporations and a number of innovative small businesses. Thales Alenia Space Italy is the prime contractor, responsible for the entire system, including both space and ground segments. Telespazio developed the ground segment and hosts the Constellation Control Center at the Fucino Space Center.

About Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space brings over 40 years of experience to the design, integration, testing and operation of innovative space systems for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo-Finmeccanica (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ “Space Alliance”, which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Thales Alenia Space has built up unrivaled expertise in dual (civil-military) missions, constellations, flexible high-throughput payloads, altimetry, meteorology, and high-resolution radar and optical observation, as well as space exploration. The company capitalizes on its strong legacy, while also making innovation a key to its strategy. By offering a continuous stream of new products and expanding its global footprint, Thales Alenia Space has established its leadership in today’s fast-evolving space sector. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues exceeding 2.1 billion euros in 2015 and has 7,500 employees in nine countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:

  • Sandrine Bielecki
    Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
    sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
  • Chrystelle Dugimont
    Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 74 06
    chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com
  • Tiziana Ebano
    Tel: +39 06 41512574
    tiziana.ebano@thalesaleniaspace.com
  • Cinzia Marcanio
    Tel: +39 06 41512685
    cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com

About Telespazio
Telespazio, a Leonardo and Thales 67/33 joint venture, is one of the world’s leading operators in satellite services. Its activities range from the design and development of space systems to the management of launch services, from in-orbit satellite control to Earth observation, from integrated communications, satellite navigation and localisation services to scientific programmes. Telespazio plays a leading role in the reference markets harnessing technological experience acquired over the years. Since its establishment, the company has participated in major European space programmes such as Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and COSMO-SkyMed. In 2015, Telespazio generated sales of EUR 632 million while employing approximately 2,500 people worldwide.

Telespazio press contact:
Paolo Mazzetti
Tel:+39 335.6515994
paolo.mazzetti@telespazio.com

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Vancouver, 5 December 2016. TRE ALTAMIRA has processed 7 years of TerraSAR-X data to measure movement on and around the Millennium Tower in San Francisco.

The 179 scenes of TerraSAR-X provided a highly precise historical record of deformation where present. The high resolution of the TerraSAR-X data provided many measurement points over the entire face of the Millennium Tower facing the satellite, and the surrounding buildings. These 600 measurement points on the tower capture motion from the foot of the building to the top. Analysis shows that the tower is moving down and away from the satellite as measured along the line of sight from the satellite to the tower at an annualized rate of 26 millimetres per year.

In the figure below projects the SqueeSAR™ derived measurement points onto the 3D Google Map optical image. The red points indicate movement away from the satellite which is down and to the west. Green points indicate neutral or no movement over the 7 years.

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Earth-i, the innovative British distributor of Earth Observation and information services, announced today that it has been awarded the contract to supply the government of the state of Queensland, Australia with very high resolution optical imagery of the entire state.

The contract covers the supply of imagery from the DMC3 / TripleSat Constellation for each of the years 2016 and 2017 and will ensure that Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) has a detailed base map of the entire state, updated each year.

All Queensland Government Departments, local agencies and Natural Resource Management Groups will benefit from having access to up-to-date imagery of the State to support their decision making, information analysis, environmental management and state development activities.

Steve Jacoby, Executive Director of Land and Spatial Information, DNRM, said: “We are delighted to have awarded the contract to Earth-i. They demonstrated a clear understanding of our needs in Queensland, the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation provides us and other Queensland government departments with both the wide area capability and the very high resolution imagery required to meet the needs of the user community. We were impressed with the professionalism of the Earth-i bid and the quality of data we will be able to work with to support a wide range of applications.”

Paul Majmader, Commercial Director of Earth-i, commenting on the contract award, said “we are delighted that the State of Queensland has selected Earth-i, and are confident we will deliver high quality services to the State and excellent value for money to Queensland tax payers. The scale of the area to be collected lends itself very well to the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation which excels in rapid, wide area collection of very high resolution data. We worked hard with our partners 21AT to offer the best bid, and are confident that the data will offer significant benefits to a wide base of users in Australia.”

Earth-i

Earth-i is a British company dedicated to facilitating the distribution of data from the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation. As the master distributor appointed by 21AT, Earth-i provides a portal for data users wishing to take advantage of the advanced data and services made possible by this uniquely capable Earth Observation satellite constellation.
Earth-i is co-located on the Surrey Research Park in the UK with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, the manufacturer of the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation. www.earthi.space

Earth-i, the innovative British distributor of earth observation imagery and services, understands that the buyers and users of remote sensing imagery need to have confidence in their suppliers.

Driven by this customer-focus, Earth-i staff have worked tirelessly to implement a new Quality Management System (QMS) certified by globally renowned BSI Group to the ISO9001:2015 standard for the provision of imagery data, information products and value added products and services derived from Earth Observation satellites.

The achievement is a further milestone in the development of the company and the provision of data and value added services from the DMC3/TripleSat constellation of three very high resolution satellites.

What is so impressive is that Earth-i is one of the very first satellite Earth Observation companies whose QMS has been certified to the new ISO9001:2015 international standard. A copy of the certificate can be viewed here

Earth-i’s new certification provides assurance to customers, old and new, of Earth-i’s quality processes for the efficient and timely delivery of satellite imagery and related data.

Commenting on the company’s award Earth-i’s CEO, Richard Blain, said; “Quality and consistency in the delivery of our products and services is critical to us at Earth-i and we recognise the importance of these standards for the benefit of our customers.”

“Whilst our existing customers are already familiar with our high levels of service, we expect this certification to lead to an expansion of our customer base, especially with larger organisations and government bodies. Our certification by the British Standards Institute gives decision-makers the confidence to move forward rapidly, knowing they are on a solid footing with Earth-i.”

Earth-i’s imagery, data and value-added analysis supports and enables better decision making in a vast range of applications across many industries. The ISO9001:2015 certification demands that the company works within a framework of rigorous standards to ensure customer satisfaction.

Earth-i is a British company dedicated to facilitating the distribution of data from the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation. As the master distributor appointed by 21AT, Earth-i provides a portal for data users wishing to take advantage of the advanced data and services made possible by this uniquely capable Earth Observation satellite constellation.

Earth-i is co-located on the Surrey Research Park in the UK with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, the manufacturer of the DMC3/TripleSat Constellation. www.earthi.space

(08.12.2016) Kongsberg Satellite Services, the world-leading ground station services provider for LEO Satellite and maritime situational awareness services, and SKY Perfect JSAT have entered into a Strategic Alliance to accelerate LEO-related businesses maritime information service in the Asia-Pacific Region

Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (KSAT) announces that they have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement with SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation in order to jointly develop and expand KSAT’s ground station services for Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) satellite operators in the Asia-Pacific region and promote earth observation monitoring services using satellite images in the Asia-Pacific region.

This strategic alliance between KSAT and SKY Perfect JSAT, will accelerate expansion of ground station network in the Asia-Pacific region and provide ground station services to global LEO satellite operators. Moreover, in terms of using satellite based information, SKY Perfect JSAT will start joint marketing of KSAT’s existing satellite based monitoring services, such as the “ship detection service” and the “oil spill detection service” in the Asia-Pacific region. Also for the coming IoT era, the two companies will jointly develop and start various maritime information services together, targeting not only government sectors but also business intelligences and other new markets.

Read full pressrelease

Dec 2016 © Pixalytics. The UK Space Agency issued its latest report on the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry, covering 2013/14 and 2014/15. There are a number of eye-catching headlines, but this broad-brush approach means that there are a lot of unanswered questions within the granularity of the report.

UK Space Industry Income is Worth £13.7 bn in 2014/15

This headline figure breaks down into 88% (£12 bn) for downstream activities. Whilst the 12% (£1.7 bn) for upstream activities is much smaller, it is higher than in previous years. Upstream refers to the part of the industry that build and launch satellites and sensors; whilst downstream encompasses the products and services that use the data those objects collect. Overall, the UK represents 6.5% of global space economy.

Unsurprisingly, given the above breakdown, space applications are the biggest segment of the industry, followed by space operations, space manufacturing and ancillary services.

This follows through into capabilities which are dominated by Broadcasting, Communications and Navigation & Timing which account for 56%, 19.6% and 12.2% of the space industry income respectively. Earth observation is listed with an income of £256 m, equating to 1.87% of the overall industry; although Meteorology is shown separately.

38,522 Jobs in the UK Space Industry in 2014/15

The space industry accounts for 0.12% of the total UK workforce, with 29,947 people working in downstream activities, and 8,575 working in upstream. It’s interesting to note the difference in the employment percentages, 78% and 22% respectively, compared to the income split above.

A fascinating fact in the report is that the average qualification level of space industry employees is higher than any other sector in England and Wales. With 74% of employees possessing a degree, 15% holding a HNC and the remaining 11% having other qualifications.

Space Industry Throughout the UK

All regions of the country have space companies. Of course, London and the South East – partially driven by the Harwell Campus – have the highest concentrations. We were delighted to see that the South West had was the third most populous area with 126 space organisations; although the South West is only fourth for Headquarters and income generated with £176 m worth of space business within the area.

UK Space Industry Customers

The report notes that the largest customer type is individual consumers, accounting for 54% of the income. However, given the domination of Broadcasting in the figures and with the majority of their customers being individual consumers this does skew the result. Equally limited information can be gleaned for the other customer types.

Personally, we’d be interested in seeing the customer type split for each capability. This would be much more useful, as at the moment these are a set of high level figures offering little, or no, insight.

Growth Slowing In the Space Industry?

The report has lots of positive statements about growth. There are at least four different income growth rates of 6.5%, 7.3%, 8.1% and 8.5% on page 10, depending on which time period you compare. Similarly, page 12 on employment lists growth rates of 5.8%, 6.0% and 6.7%.

All of this sounds great, but looking at the growth rates within in the tables for the last 7 years, quite wild swings year on year can be seen. The chart below shows some good growth rates, but the last two years are the lowest growth rates.


UK Space Industry Income & Employment Growth 2009/2016. Source: Size & Health of the UK Space Industry 2016, UK Space Agency

To be fair the report itself notes a few caveats on the figures, such as new methodologies and the changing value of the pound. So care should be taken with such figures, but does it show signs that growth could be slowing for the industry?

Towards 2030 Ambitions

In February 2010 the UK Government set ambitious targets for the industry of:

  • 8% of the world space economy by 2020, and 10% by 2030.
  • 100,000 jobs created by 2030, taking the industry to 119,100

By the end of 2014/15 progress had been made towards both of these targets, with the industry representing 6.5% of the world space economy and having 38,522 jobs. Employment needs to grow by 7.8% each year to achieve the target, which is concerning given the current growth levels outlined above. If jobs aren’t being created, it’s unlikely the global market share target will be hit.

Shaping The Future

Finally, the UK Space Agency is currently seeking ideas and evidence on how to implement the 2015 National Space Policy. Anyone can submit their thoughts, and we’d encourage everyone to participate in helping shape the future of the UK space industry.

The submission document is straightforward asking for proposed actions, alongside evidence as why they are necessary, for each of the four principles of the National Space Policy

  • Space is of strategic importance to the UK because of the value that space programmes deliver back to public services, national security, science and innovation and the economy.
  • Preserving and promoting the safety and security of the unique space operating environment, free from interference.
  • Supporting the growth of a robust and competitive commercial space sector, underpinned by excellent academic research.
  • Cooperating internationally to create the legal frameworks for the responsible use of space and collaborating with other nations to deliver maximum benefit from UK investment in space.

Conclusion

The UK Space Industry is growing, but we need to ensure that we take advantage of every opportunity and develop, promote and encourage the use of space based applications and technology.

With all the concerns about economic certainty in the coming years, let’s make sure our industry rockets ahead!

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© Pixalytics. A Space Strategy for Europe was issued last week by the European Commission (EC), based around four strategic goals.


  • Maximising the Benefits of Space for Society and the European Union (EU) Economy
  • Fostering a Globally Competitive & Innovative European Space Sector
  • Reinforcing Europe’s Autonomy In Accessing & Using Space In a Secure & Safe Environment
  • Strengthening Europe’s Role as a Global Actor & Promoting International Co-operation

The strategy began with a heartening assessment of the European space economy, recognising that it supports almost a quarter of million jobs and is valued at around €50 bn.

The Earth observation (EO) sector is strongly represented within the document, particularly in the first two goals. Whilst some of the references to EO are fairly obvious statements, there are also some intriguing comments.

Maximising the Benefits of Space for Society and the EU Economy

This goal identifies a significant untapped potential for the uptake of space services and data, and outlines a number of actions that will be taken to unlock this; including:

  • Encouraging the use of space services and data, wherever they provide effective solutions – the last part provides an interesting test.
  • Ensuring EU legislation will be supportive of the uptake of these services.
  • Provision of improved access to, and exploitation of, Copernicus data – anyone who has tried to access data will know the need for continued improvement.Improving interconnectivity with other data infrastructures and other datasets.
  • Define clear limits between free Copernicus core information services and commercial applications – hopefully this will show Copernicus services as an opportunity rather than a threat; something that is currently unclear for, particularly SME, businesses.

Overall, the strategy states this will open up new business opportunities, including for SME’s and start-ups. We’re supportive of these actions, however we also have concerns.

The document has a single line stating it will reach out to new users and connect downstream activities to non-space sectors. This is the holy grail for every EO commercial organisation, and very few have come close to achieving it. The minimal statement potentially suggests the EC is fundamentally underestimating how difficult this will be.

An intriguing element is the intention “to introduce an ‘industry test’ to check downstream suppliers can provide reliable and affordable services.” We’d support any quality accreditation, but it will be interesting to see whether this is a certification scheme for everyone or a barrier to market for SMEs and start-ups.

This issue was strongly debated at a European Space Agency (ESA) meeting last week, particularly over the question as to whether the accrediting body assumes liability when a service doesn’t deliver. It is worth noting that the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) has an existing certification scheme for management practices, but only a few organisations have gone through the process to date.

Fostering a Globally Competitive & Innovative European Space Sector

This goal focuses on supporting research and development within the space economy, together with promoting entrepreneurship and business opportunities.

It specifically references the launch of a dedicated sector skills alliance for space/Earth observation – which sounds great. However, it appears to be a committee of stakeholders to discuss the necessary skills requirements for the industry, and so it is not clear what it will actually do.

The Commission also aims to support space entrepreneurs, start-ups and SME’s through a variety of programmes, dialogues and synergies! Lots of good words used with little clarity of real action.

Reinforcing Europe’s Autonomy In Accessing & Using Space In a Secure & Safe Environment

This goal has a focus on ensuring that Europe has the infrastructure and capacity to operate in space freely; although this does seem slightly at odds with the international co-operation trumpeted in the final goal.

However, the most interesting element for the EO community is the statement that the radio frequency spectrum must be protected from interference from other systems. This is something that is vital for space sector, but falls short of guaranteeing space technology having access to radio frequencies. In recent times, there has been a threat to the microwave frequencies from the requirements of mobile phone and wifi networks.

Strengthening Europe’s Role as a Global Actor & Promoting International Co-operation

The final strategic goal highlights the importance of international co-operation and the desire for the EU to have a much greater global lead. Given that the EU has the second largest public space budget in the world, this emphasis is welcomed.

It also notes that the EU will contribute to initiatives including the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS).

Summary

Like all strategies there are lots of good intentions within these words, but limited practical details. It won’t be until the detailed plans are draw up to implement these actions that we will be able to determine whether this document is a valuable step forward for the space economy in Europe, or a thirteen page missed opportunity.

Our Footnote for the UK

The strategy makes clear the EU & ESA will be key to the delivery of this strategy, and so we can’t comment without mentioning the Brexit word. The current plan is that the UK will be out of the EU in early 2019, and therefore the UK Government’s input to the upcoming ESA ministerial is absolutely critical, alongside decisions on how we’ll interact with the Copernicus program.

We need to give a strong and positive commitment to our ongoing involvement with ESA, without this the UK’s space economy will face a significant setback. Everyone within the community must ensure that the Government, and Ministers, are fully aware of the importance of this in the coming weeks.

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