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The Space Technologies Research Institute (formerly known as TUBITAK BILTEN – Information Technologies and Electronics Research Institute) is founded in 1985, under the framework of a protocol signed between the Middle East Technical University (METU) and The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) as a publicly funded research institute.

The aim of TUBITAK UZAY is to identify and solve research problems in the space technologies, specifically satellite systems and information technologies domain and become a pioneer, proactive, effective and influential center of attraction, which focuses on sub-areas having strategic importance for public interest and creates an integrated approach in space technologies, information technologies and electronics research fields.
The Institute gives prominence to
• Creating and acquiring know-how,
• Developing prototypes for and with the Turkish industry,
• Providing technical consultancy services,
• Training of researchers and technical staff and
• Establishing necessary infrastructure
in the research areas of interest.
The Institute conducts national or international projects with the industry in space technologies, information technologies or other areas related to electronics. The goal is to catch the state-of-the-art and to have a pioneering role in the national research community.
TUBITAK UZAY also helps the industry in solving technical problems encountered during system design, product development and manufacturing.
Research Areas:
TUBITAK UZAY conducts its research and development activities in the following areas with a total of 216 staff members, out of which 175 are researchers and technical support personnel.
Space Technologies: Satellite systems, satellite sub-systems, satellite ground station sub-systems, satellite test and integration systems.
Electronics: Communication systems, electronics system design, electro-optic mission payload, high-speed digital design, IC design.
Software: Computer vision, speech processing, pattern recognition, remote sensing, multimedia technologies.
Power Electronics: Power quality, compensation systems, electrical motor drives, switching power supplies, renewable energy resources.
Power Distribution Systems: Analysis of electric production and transmission systems, strategic research and development in distribution automation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA).
Activities in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems:
TUBITAK UZAY has participated/conducted various projects employing GIS and RS. TU-REMOSENS is one of those projects. The project was supported by NATO and conducted together with Middle East Technical University. The main objectives of the project were:
• Installation and operation of a NOAA/HRPT receiving station
• Implementation of a NOAA/HRPT image archive of the region and a database of the snow cover and hydrologic parameters of the study region
• Operation of a snowmelt run-off model of the study area, with the data collected from field and extracted from satellite image data
• Establishment of an operational Dust Transport Model for the detection and deposition of dust.
In this project the main GIS and RS studies were conducted in TUBITAK UZAY.
Another area of study in TUBITAK UZAY related to GIS is AM/FM systems as they applied to electric distribution systems. Creating synergy with other studies conducted in UZAY, on electric distribution system master planning, an original approach for modeling Turkish urban electric distribution system was created. This approach later used in pilot projects for Istanbul.
In addition to the ones mentioned above, some other small size RS and GIS projects conducted as well and consultancy services have been provided.
Space activities of the institute were initiated under Satellite Technologies Group in 1998. In August 2001, within the framework of an agreement between SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, UK) and TUBITAK UZAY, “BilSat Earth Observation Microsatellite Project” has been started to develop and propagate small satellite technologies in Turkey. BilSat was successfully launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Russia) in 27 September 2003. BilSat is Turkey’s first Earth observation satellite and it is operated by TUBITAK UZAY. Since 2003, BilSat images have been opened to public access locally to be used for scientific purpose. BilSat satellite is also a part of DMC (Disaster Monitoring Constellation) which is a program led by SSTL aiming at rapid-response disaster monitoring and mitigation.
TUBITAK UZAY has gained the capability to build small satellites in the framework of BilSat technology transfer project. After the completion of BilSat project, TUBITAK UZAY initiated RASAT Earth Observation Satellite Project” which aims at building and launching first domestic Earth observation microsatellite of Turkey. In April 2006, preliminary design study of RASAT was already performed. It is expected to be launched in late 2008 and send images in early 2009. With RASAT, Turkey will have another Earth observation satellite with much better specifications (Table 1).
Table 1. Specifications of the Turkish Earth observation satellites BilSat and RASAT
Turkish RS Satellites
BilSat
RASAT
Weight
129 kg
110 kg
Orbit
686 km circular, sun synchronous
700 km circular, sun synchronous
Attitude Control
3-axis stabilized
3-axis stabilized
Orbital Cycle
Panchromatic : 12.6
m
Multispectral : 27.6 m
Panchromatic : 7.5
m
Multispectral : 15 m
Launched
September 2003
2008
Life time
5+10 years
5 years
Spectral resolution (µm)
0.45 – 0.90
(Panchromatic)
Band 1: 0.45 – 0.52 (Blue)

Band 2: 0.52 – 0.60 (Green)

Band 3: 0.63 – 0.69 (Red)

Band 4: 0.76 – 0.90 (Near Infrared)
0.42 – 0.73
(Panchromatic)
Band 1: 0.42 – 0.55 (Blue)
Band 2: 0.55 – 0.63 (Green)
Band 3: 0.58 – 0.73 (Red)
Radiometric resolution
8 bit
8 bit
Swath width
55 km
30 km
Temporal resolution
4 days
4 days
Payloads
Optical payload
comprises a panchromatic imager (
12
m
resolution) and a four-band multispectral imager (
26 m resolution).


Payloads developed
by TUBITAK UZAY:

GEZGiN: Image
processor capable of high-speed multi-spectral image compression using the
JPEG2000 algorithms,

ÇOBAN: An
eight-band multispectral imager with a ground sampling distance of
120 m. Band Frequencies:

375-425 nm
410-490 nm
460-540 nm
510-590 nm
560-640 nm
610-690 nm
660-740 nm
850-1000 nm

Number of pixels: 640 × 480

Optical payload
comprises a pushbroom type imager with one high-resolution panchromatic (
7.5 m resolution) and three
medium-resolution (
15 m
resolution) multispectral bands.


Payloads developed
by TUBITAK UZAY:

BiLGE: Flight computer
with the capability to utilize Spacewire,

ALP: Smart Li-Ion
based battery with peak

power tracking,

GEZGiN-2: New
generation image processor capable of high-speed multi-spectral image
compression using the JPEG2000 algorithms with encryption capabilities,

X-Band Transmitter Module: Communication system
with
100 Mb/s downlink at 7W output.

TUBITAK UZAY has also made projects on developing tools for low cost remote sensing and photogrammetry. In this framework, a coastal zone in Turkey has been imaged using commercial off the shelf cameras, using various manned and unmanned vehicles as imaging platform. Also some software for bundle adjustment, mosaicing and stereoscopic matching has been developed in house. Also, various partnerships and projects are being developed for photogrammetry and RS from UAVs.
TUBITAK UZAY has also been working on various branches of computer vision. One of the projects of computer vision is a product named BALISTIKA. In the project, a system has been developed to obtain 3D information of cartridge cases and bullets and match them automatically. The system uses photometric stereo method to obtain 3D data and uses various computer vision techniques to process and match them.
Consequently, TUBITAK UZAY is an institute, conducting research on peaceful use of space, satellite technologies and remote sensing, promoting researchers and end users to use the satellite data, disseminating satellite data, participating and conducting projects about earth system modeling and observation, developing instrumentation for earth observation.
TUBITAK UZAY
TUBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute
METU Campus, 06531 Ankara, Turkey
Tel: +90 312 2101310
Fax: +90 312 2101315

China plans to launch in September the third earth resources satellite jointly developed by China and Brazil, said Sun Laiyan, director of the China National Space Administration here Thursday. Satellite 02B will be soon moved into a space environment simulator and go through a number of tests, said Sun.

China plans to launch in September the third earth resources
satellite jointly developed by China and Brazil, said Sun Laiyan,
director of the China National Space Administration here Thursday.
Satellite 02B will be soon moved into a space environment simulator and
go through a number of tests, said Sun. Before returning to China in
April this year, the satellite underwent a series of tests at the
Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE).
These included electromagnetic interference tests, and tests to detect propellant leaks.
China and Brazil have cooperated on space projects for 19 years.
Satellites 01 and 02 jointly developed by the two countries were
launched in 1999 and 2003 respectively.
China and Brazil have also agreed to develop satellite 03 and 04 and launch satellite 03 in 2009.
The satellites will be used to gather information on the Earth‘s
environment, agriculture, urban development planning and water
pollution.
(Source: Xinhua News Agency)

It will market the data and products for the Earth observation programme

AvionNews (WAPA)
The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has given mandate to e-GEOS, a joint-venture majority owned by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Telespazio (Finmeccanica/Thales), to market the data and products of the COSMO-SkyMed Earth observation programme. The first COSMO-SkyMed satellite was launched successfully on 7 June from the Vandenberg base in California.
COSMO-SkyMed is one of the most innovative programmes in the Earth observation field. Financed by the ASI and the Italian Defence Ministry, the programme foresees the launch into orbit of a constellation of four satellites equipped with X-band radar sensors with resolution of up to a metre.
The system will contribute significantly to territorial protection and will have many applications in areas such as fires, landslides, droughts, pollution, agricultural and forest resources management, land mapping, safety and security. The satellite data market is a fast growing one and satellite data are becoming a major source of geo-spatial information for the management of natural resources, territorial planning, emergency prevention and management, and security.
The COSMO-SkyMed programme opens up a new era of operational applications, particularly in the field of near-real-time monitoring, thanks to its “Guaranteed” data acquisition capabilities (i.e. during the day, at night and in all weather conditions), their high frequency (every 3-6 hours) and the continuity of service ensured by having a constellation of four satellites.
Giovanni Bignami, Chairman of the Italian Space Agency, said: “The COSMO-SkyMed programme consists not only of a military component managed by the Italian Defence Ministry and a governmental component run by the ASI, but also a commercial aspect aimed at giving Italy a leading position on the international market”.
Giuseppe Veredice, CEO of Telespazio, stated: “Telespazio has played a key role in the development of COSMO-SkyMed by developing the entire ground segment of the programme and being in charge of the satellite operations. Via e-GEOS, Telespazio will be involved in the commercialization of COSMO-SkyMed products, and may develop further innovative applications”.
Marcello Maranesi, CEO of e-GEOS said: “We plan to develop COSMO-SkyMed presence not only in Europe, the US and Japan, where the markets are already mature, but also in Asia, South America and Africa, where the system will be supporting sustainable development”.
(Source Avionews)
(050) 070622141626-1075865 (World Aeronautical Press Agency)

Image Information Mining: pursuing automation of geospatial intelligence for environment and security, which will be held at ESA / ESRIN (Frascati, Italy) on March 4-5, 2008.

The Conference will be followed on March 6, 2008 by a
“Panel on Information Mining from images, geo-information and text”.
============================

CONFERENCE DETAILS
Participation to conference and panel is free of charge up toavailable seats.
Interested participants shall register within February 1, 2008,
sending an e-mail to Patrizia Farroni@esa.int.
The Conference is scientifically sponsored by IEEE GRSS.
ESA will publish related “Workshop Proceedings”.
Contributors are encouraged to make their interactive presentations,
since only articles presented at the Conference will be published.
============================

IMPORTANT DATES
Extensive abstract, with indication if it is for
interactive presentation or poster session,
via e-mail to mihai.datcu@dlr.de, copy Sergio.Delia@esa.int,
subject: IIM ESA-EUSC 2008) by October 15, 2007
Notification of acceptance (and format for article submission)
will be provided to authors by November 15, 2007
A limited number of demonstrations can be accepted:
demonstration description and resource requirements
shall be provided by e-mail to Sergio.Delia@esa.int
(subject: IIM ESA-EUSC 2008) within February 15, 2008.
Full articles and presentations by February 15, 2008.
============================

CONFERENCE TOPICS
Presentations should focus on theory and applications leading to
more automation in geospatial information extraction and understanding
from optical and SAR EO images and heterogeneous sources:
- – Automatic image pre-processing (geo-referencing, ortho-rectification, radiometric calibration, etc.)
– – Challenges for metre resolution optical and SAR EO images
- – Geospatial Intelligence: synergies across images, maps and geo information
- – Models, semantics and spatial syntax for image understanding
- – Information mining from heterogeneous sources
- – Human-machine communication for spatial reasoning
- – Knowledge discovery and sharing
- – Scenarios and constraints in Environment, Security and Intelligence applications
- – System architectures for geospatial information processing
============================
The “Panel on Information Mining from images, geo-information and text”
will include topics like (final list will be made available with the programme):
- Tools
— Use of KIM (interactive information discovery from images)
— Use of KEO (component-based processing environment)
- Image understanding
— Speaking Images: Intelligence and Semantics
— Understanding high resolution SAR images
- Image Information Mining
— Automatic classification strategies
— Change detection
— Mining Time Series
- Heterogeneous information sources
— Knowledge from Web content
— Visualisation of geo information
============================
IIMCG
The event is the fifth in the series jointly organised by ESA and EUSC
(see the last one at http://earth.esa.int/rtd/Events/ESA-EUSC_2006).
It is promoted by the European Image Information Mining Coordination Group (IIMCG),
initiated by:
ASI, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
CNES, Centre National d‘Etudes Spatiales
CNR, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
DLR, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
EC-IST, European Commission – Information Society Technology
ESA, European Space Agency
ETHZ, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
EUSC, European Union Satellite Centre
An extended to:
EARSC, European Association of Remote Sensing Companies
(Source IIMCG)

Intermap Technologies Wins $2.2M Mapping Contracts for use in Tsunami Preparedness and Energy Exploration in Southeast Asia
Intermap Technologies Corp. (TSX: IMP.TO, AIM: IMAP.L) today
announced that it has been awarded four contracts valued at $2.2
million for radar mapping in Southeast Asia. Under the agreement, the
company will collect and deliver three-dimensional digital elevation
data and orthorectified radar imagery utilizing Intermap’s IFSAR radar
mapping technology. Data will be collected and delivered in 2007.
Accurate and current digital elevation models (DEMs) in this
region will allow the Company’s clients to formulate strategies to
assist in the decision-making needs to mitigate tsunami and geohazard
effects in this island-rich region. Another client will utilize the
data to assist in seismic planning and advanced energy exploration
without disturbing the environment.
“We continue to see a multitude of applications around the
world where up-to-date and accurate elevation data is greatly needed by
our clients,”
said Garth Lawrence, senior vice president of operations for Intermap Technologies. “Our
client base in Southeast Asia continues to grow as the Company has
consistently delivered on time and on budget for a multitude of
contracts in the region. Furthermore, our ability to collect height
data in constantly cloudy conditions allows us to deliver a product
that meets and exceeds our customer’s expectations.”
About Intermap Technologies
Intermap enables customers to facilitate better decision-making
and create applications for numerous commercial, governmental,
military, and consumer products through the purchase of high quality
and affordable elevation datasets. The Company is proactively remapping
entire countries and building unprecedented national databases, called
NEXTMap®, consisting of highly accurate digital topographic maps that
include elevation data.
Demand for NEXTMap® data is growing as new commercial applications
are emerging, including geographical information systems (GIS),
engineering planning, transportation, automotive, navigation, flood,
irrigation, environmental management and planning,
telecommunications/wireless network planning, aviation, simulation, and
3D visualization. Internet applications include virtual tours,
topographic maps and computer games. Datasets are also used to add
interactive intelligence to airborne and satellite imagery.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap employs more than 425
people worldwide, with additional offices in Calgary, Detroit, Jakarta,
London, Munich, Ottawa, and Prague.
(Source Intermap.com)

Microsoft Enhances Virtual Earth Product in Great Britain With High-Resolution 3-D Height Data From Intermap Technologies. Update delivers a more seamless and accurate 3-D experience.

June 19, 2007
Microsoft Corp. and Intermap Technologies Corp. today announced
the launch of Microsoft’s enhanced Virtual Earth™ 3-D viewing platform
based on Intermap Technologies’ highly accurate and up-to-date
elevation data for all of Great Britain. Intermap is also creating
similar maps for all of Western Europe and the continental United
States. The resulting product delivers a more seamless and accurate
3-D experience for all Internet users visiting Microsoft’s Live Search
Maps for England, Scotland and Wales.
Intermap’s precise and uniform 3-D digital terrain model serves as
the foundation for the placement and alignment of aerial photography
and other geospatial images. These images are then layered upon this
3-D foundation to better align and place objects without distortion or
undulation, thus creating a superior end product.
“Microsoft is committed to delivering the highest-accuracy and
highest-quality product for our Live Search Maps customers, and this
enhancement is another step toward meeting this commitment,”
said Aric Weiker, director of product management for the Virtual Earth platform at Microsoft. “Having
Intermap’s highly accurate and reliable foundation layer under our
imagery and building models allows us to provide one of the most
accurate viewing experiences on the Internet today.”
Live Search Maps is Microsoft’s online local search and mapping
service that combines unique bird’s-eye imagery with advanced driving
directions, Yellow Pages and other local search tools. Powered by the
company’s Virtual Earth mapping and location platform, these features
give users useful new ways to map and find directions to various
locations, and to better visualize their surroundings from multiple
aerial vantage points.
“This is a fundamental change for the industry as Microsoft raises the bar for accuracy and realistic 3-D experiences,” said Eric DesRoche, senior vice president of automotive and consumer electronics at Intermap. “While
an accurate visualization application is important to deliver to
consumers, our relationship with Microsoft begins to pave the way for
the delivery of additional value-added products for the business and
consumer markets within Great Britain, Europe and the U.S.”
As part of Intermap’s worldwide proactive data collection efforts,
Great Britain is currently in the company’s data library. In addition,
Intermap is now aggressively mapping Europe under its NEXTMap® Europe
program. Data for the entire country of Germany is currently being
placed in the Intermap library, and data collection for the remainder
of Western Europe is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007. The
continental U.S. is being mapped concurrently with the European
initiative and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008.
About Intermap Technologies
Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP.TO, AIM: IMAP.L) enables
customers to facilitate better decision-making and create applications
for numerous commercial, governmental, military, and consumer products
through the purchase of high quality and affordable elevation datasets.
The Company is proactively remapping entire countries and building
unprecedented national databases, called NEXTMap, consisting of highly
accurate digital topographic maps that include elevation data. Demand
for NEXTMap data is growing as new commercial applications are
emerging, including geographical information systems (GIS), engineering
planning, transportation, automotive, navigation, flood, irrigation,
environmental management and planning, telecommunications/wireless
network planning, aviation, simulation, and 3D visualization. Internet
applications include virtual tours, topographic maps and computer
games. Datasets are also used to add interactive intelligence to
airborne and satellite imagery.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap employs more than 425
people worldwide, with additional offices in Calgary, Detroit, Jakarta,
London, Munich, Ottawa, and Prague. For more information, visit
www.Intermap.com
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader
in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses
realize their full potential.
For more information
In Europe:
Sue Glanville,
Say Communications for Intermap Technologies,
+(44) (0) 208971 6423,
sglanville@saycomms.co.uk
(Source Microsoft)

The Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society is holding its annual conference at Newcastle University between the 11th – 14th September . The conference will include keynotes from representatives from NASA, Ordnance Survey, Google and Microsoft.

The call for papers to be presented in the main RSPSoc conference received contributions from over 15 different countries as far a field as USA, Australia and Japan.
This year’s keynote presentations include William Krabill from NASA; Christian Heipke from the University of Hannover; Neil Ackroyd from the UK’s Ordnance Survey; Ed Parson’s from Google; and John Curlander from Microsoft Virtual Earth. The event will also include a number of social events ideal for networking.
The provisional technical programme has now been published and can be found on the conference website at http://www.rspsoc2007.org.
RSPSoc is the UK’s leading Society for remote sensing and photogrammetry and their application to education, science, research, industry, commerce and the public service. As a charity, its remit is to inform and educate its members and the public. It supports networking between the university, business and government sectors. An international society, RSPSoc is also active in Europe and on the world stage.

The geospatial community can play a vital role in global warming research by helping to make a connection between climate change and individual people.

The geospatial community can play a vital role in global warming
research by helping to make a connection between climate change and
individual people. The best way to accomplish this is by making
satellite imagery and derived information more easily accessible and
understandable to the general public, so they can see the impact that
climate change has at the local level.
That was the consensus of representatives from SPOT Image Corp.,
CNES (the French Space Agency) and Google Earth, who engaged in a
lengthy discussion following the “Space and the Polar Regions” seminar
held in Arlington, Virginia. Sponsored in April by the Embassy of
France and George Mason University to kick off the International Polar
Year, the event focused attention on the environmental monitoring data
that Earth observation satellites have collected over the poles and
their importance to research.
In their meeting, Spot Image, CNES and Google Earth picked up on
the theme of the conference and examined ways the geospatial industry,
specifically organizations providing imagery, can do a better job
assisting with climate change research. The three entities elaborated
on their own current and future activities to support environmental
monitoring initiatives.
Jean-Jacques Tortora, CNES space attaché to the Embassy of France,
explained that polar regions are crucial to understanding global
climate change because the poles are affected more rapidly and
dramatically than other parts of the Earth. And, he added, the changes
occurring there influence the oceans, atmospheres and land masses
around the globe.
“We are now realizing that indicators of the future of our planet lie at the poles,” said Tortora.
Despite this importance, the challenge for environmental
scientists in general, and polar researchers in particular, has been
getting people to understand that what happens at the North and South
Poles impacts their daily lives in France, the United States and
elsewhere. The poles are the most remote places on Earth, and few
individuals have visited them, so it‘s hard to make a personal
connection.
“The role of Earth imaging satellites should be to fill the missing link between environmental change and human beings,” said Antoine de Chassy, president and CEO of SPOT Image Corp. “Global climate change remains an abstract concept until people visualize what it‘s doing in their own backyard.”
The personal connection is invaluable, said Pascale
Ultre-Guerard, head of Earth Observation Programs for CNES France. Once
people see the impact that climate change has on them, “they realize they can also change the atmosphere and the environment,” she said.
Making that connection with satellite imagery, however, has its
own challenges. SPOT‘s de Chassy pointed out that while Earth
observation satellites have been extremely successful at identifying
environmental change, the link with everyday citizens has often been
difficult to establish because imagery historically has been too
expensive to obtain and too difficult to analyze for anyone but a
trained scientist.
But this has all changed in the past two years, according to de
Chassy, with the introduction of Web-enabled technology like Google
Earth, which has spanned the last mile between the satellite image and
the average person. And de Chassy believes this same technology will
fill the same gap between climate change and individuals, with the help
of imagery, because it‘s readily accessible and easy to use.
Google Earth Chief Technologist Michael Jones agreed with the
analogy that Google Earth has bridged the gap between remote sensing
and individual people, resulting in greater understanding of
environmental issues. The ability to use Google Earth and drill down
from the global panorama to the neighborhood level enables people to
understand natural and man-made events on a human scale.
Jones explained that Google Earth users often zoom in on their
houses and then pan around their neighborhoods. They get a different
perspective on the influences of human activities, such as development,
right in their immediate surroundings, which they understand because
they also see those impacts in their daily lives. Then when they pan
out and zoom back in on similar changes in other parts of the world
where they‘ve never been, a global connection is made. This helps them
internalize the concept that environmental processes are inter-related
regardless of where they occur.
“That range of information is very important to satisfy both parts of the human cognition system,” said Jones. “We built Google Earth because we want people to understand.”
Turning Imagery into Action
The discussion then turned to specific initiatives that SPOT, CNES
and Google have undertaken, or plan to begin soon, that will leverage
remote sensing data and heighten the public‘s awareness of climate
change issues.
The Google initiative began with the introduction of Google Earth
and Google Maps, which provide users all of the tools they need to
build virtual globes that can be accessed by anyone via the Web. In the
hands of environmental researchers, these virtual globes allow
interested users to drill down from satellite and aerial imagery to
view photographs, video and other documentation illustrating in a
personal way the research being done to delve into specific
atmospheric, societal and ecological changes occurring around the
world. Virtual globes are a new medium for conveying information.
Millions of people are using Google Earth to explore environmental
and humanitarian issues. There are more than 50,000 Google Maps
API-based Web sites. Some examples related to polar research can be
accessed on the International Polar Year website. One of the best
climate change research sites, in Jones’ opinion, is EarthSLOT, which
enables visitors to view multiple layers of terrain data linked
geographically to their locations on Google Earth images.
Earlier in the day at the International Polar Year seminar, Jones
had encouraged other climate change scientists to take advantage of the
free Google Earth tools and create websites to publicize their
research. He reminded them there are 200 million Google Earth users,
many of them in influential positions, around the world. He pointed out
that environmental scientists have tremendous potential to make a
difference, but only if someone hears their message.
“It‘s very important to keep information in the public eye and keep sharing that information,” he said.
For its part, SPOT Image is teaming with its parent company, Spot
Image, S.A. in Toulouse, France, to launch a global program called
Planet Action. The goal, according to de Chassy, is to get satellite
imagery and other resources into the hands of local communities so they
can take positive action in response to environmental change.
Planet Action will use Web-enabled technology like Google Earth to
facilitate sharing information among scientific and non-governmental
organizations and industries, schools and individuals at the local
level. The ultimate goal is to create a worldwide network of citizens
who have access to geospatial information and know how to apply it
locally to influence positive change where they live.
“Our archive of SPOT imagery is a gold mine for environmental change research,” said
de Chassy. Since 1986, Spot Image has successfully launched and
operated five Earth observation satellites, three of which are still
functioning. The company has catalogued and archived millions of high
resolution scenes covering nearly every square kilometer of the Earth‘s
land mass.
One aspect of Planet Action will involve Spot Image directly
supplying new and archived imagery to support research projects. The
company is also looking to its worldwide network of 30 direct receiving
stations to play active roles in fostering programs within their local
communities where they already have relationships with academic,
governmental and civic organizations.
The influence of Web technology won‘t be limited to non-profit
activities at Spot Image, however. De Chassy described a “revolution of
the mind” that has occurred in the geospatial industry as a result of
Google Earth technology. He promised that Spot Image will soon be
changing the way its customers browse, purchase and experience
satellite imagery.
As a way of summation, CNES’ Ultre-Guerard looked just a few years
farther into the future, describing the new satellites that France now
has under development as follow-ons to the SPOT series. The two new
optical satellites, known as Pleiades, will complement existing SPOT
capabilities in many ways, although the spatial resolution will be
improved to 0.7 meters. Launching in 2009 and 2010, Pleiades will also
complement high-resolution public-private partnership (PPP) radar
imaging satellites that will soon be launched by Germany and Italy.
The Earth Observation Responsibility
Spot Image, CNES and Google reached one final consensus before
adjourning their discussion: While the Earth observation industry has a
valuable role to play in climate change research, it also has a
tremendous responsibility to the citizens of Earth to remain unbiased
in the scientific and political debates. The discussion participants
agreed that it‘s critical for satellite image providers to be honest
brokers of geospatial information.
“Our responsibility as an industry is to do our jobs … to
supply accurate imagery to the largest possible community, whether the
imagery shows change that is good or bad,”
said de Chassy. Jones agreed, “Reporting
the information so people can draw their own conclusions is very
important … I think it‘s our job to be someone that can be trusted.”
(Source Directionsmag)

One of the government‘s four intelligence-gathering satellites has ceased to operate due to a breakdown of its power source, bringing to light many problems that have to be addressed.

An official of the Cabinet Satellite
Intelligence Center said while the center has not given up trying to
reestablish contact with the satellite, Radar No. 1, which
malfunctioned one year earlier than its five-year life expectancy, the
likelihood of successfully reestablishing contact is slim from a
technical point of view.
In the circumstances, the government‘s two
optical satellites will have to undertake all work until late May, as
the fourth satellite, Radar No. 2, is still operating in test mode.
Commissioned by the government, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency develops such satellites.
JAXA satellites usually last longer than their
intended lifespan as they must be durable to survive the harsh
conditions of space.
Of the Earth observation satellites launched
into space, satellites Midori and Midori No. 2 stopped functioning 10
months after blasting off due to malfunctioning solar batteries, but
some satellites have lasted four times longer than their projected
operating life.
An official at the center said that the
intelligence-gathering satellite broke down because of the unfortunate
deterioration of the machine, but experts are concerned about the
malfunction.
An export said that while problems at an early
stage occur often, satellites that pass the first stage of operation
successfully usually do not break down.

“If the lifespan of a satellite that is running smoothly is suddenly
cut short, there may be basic defects in the materials and parts,”
he said.
Replacement satellites will be launched in
preparation for the unplanned termination of intelligence-gathering
satellites’ operating lives.
Depending on the cause of the malfunction,
Radar No. 2, currently in orbit, and Radar No. 3, which is now under
development for fiscal 2011 launch, may be affected.
As the malfunction has also threatened the
establishment of a four-satellite system by 2011, there are concerns
that national security may also be affected.
At a joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic
Party‘s defense-related sections at the end of last month, some members
proposed an early commission of Radar No. 2. Others suggested that the
development of Radar No. 3 be brought forward.
However, an official at the center said that
even if Radar No. 2‘s operation is advanced, it can only be done
several days ahead of schedule. “As engineers are developing new
technology to improve the image-gathering function of Radar No. 3, it‘s
difficult to move up development in terms of years,”
he said.
The idea of launching a satellite similar to Radar No. 1 to replace the
faulty satellite was rejected because it takes four years to
manufacture and build a satellite and manufacturers have already
stopped making some of the parts.
Katsuyuki Kawai, head of the LDP National
Defense Division, said that in future the government should discuss a
16-satellite system with backup satellites.
As radar satellites are more difficult to
manufacture and more expensive, they are launched on fewer occasions
than optical satellites.
Some experts have cast doubts over whether such a policy will help improve radar satellite technology.
The government has invested more than 500
billion yen in developing intelligence-gathering satellites, but the
program is confidential.
Shinya Matsuura, a journalist well-versed in
space development, said that the development of radar satellites
followed the government‘s sudden decision to introduce spy satellites.
“There are problems in design and the orbit is not the best for the satellites,” he said.
Some experts even questioned the usefulness of radar satellites because images they have take have not been released.
The latest glitch has called into question whether the design, function and the system are as effective as they should be.
The official said that a promotion committee comprising officials from
relevant ministries and agencies decided on the basic development
policy, adding that the committee also receives advice from a committee
of engineers.
JAXA and manufacturers also evaluate the technology,” he said.
However, as JAXA and manufacturers evaluate the program separately, they do not study the problems together.
Matsuura said that the government should release
information that can be declassified and that it needs to change its
approach to improve its usability and functions.
“Technological progress has made it possible
to manufacture compact information-gathering satellites at a low cost.
The government should also study more effective ways of using radar
satellites, such as combining earth observation and radar satellites,”
he said.
Lawmakers, the government and engineers should work together to find ways to improve radar satellites.
Keiko Chino/Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Writer
(Source Yomiuri)

Until today any journey in the ice-infested waters of the Arctic Ocean was a journey into the unknown with no up-to-date detailed map of the ice conditions readily available in such a remote region of the world.
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) are now able to provide the
latest satellite image from the European Space Agency satellite,
Envisat to any International Polar Year (IPY) expedition in the Arctic
Ocean.

Users will be able to connect to KSAT in Tromsø using an Iridium
phone to access the latest radar satellite image of the sea ice
conditions immediately ahead of them.
The transmission of detailed satellite images over a very low
bandwidth has become possible due to software developed by ITT Visual
Information Solutions. Coupled with KSAT’s ability to deliver the
latest satellite image within half-an-hour of acquisition, users can
receive the very latest information on the sea ice conditions.
The technology, first used during Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen‘s
expedition, has been described as unprecedented, adding a measure of
understanding and safety which was simply not available before.
ENVISAT ASAR (Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar)
wide-swath scene available to the Bancroft Arnesen Explore team showing
the extent of ice fracturing on the Lincoln Sea on 4th March.© raw data
ESA 2007 /processed by KSAT 2007
The satellite images, analysed by the Canadian Ice Service (CIS),
revealed unusually extensive fracturing of sea ice in the Lincoln Sea.
However, Ann and Liv would have known the extent of any leads that
crossed their path and they would have been able to decide whether they
should swim or walk around open areas of water, known as leads that
obstructed their path.
This month K/V Svalbard, the Norwegian Coastguard‘s icebreaker, is
receiving the latest radar satellite images which, together with other
essential resources, play an important role in the day-to-day planning
as she participates in a joint expedition with the Bi-polar Atlantic
Thermohaline Circulation (BIAC) and Ice Load Monitoring (ILM) projects
in the waters around the Svalbard Archipelago.
To see more example images please access: http://nut.tss.no/ksat/welcome.faces
For more information please contact:
Richard Hall
Business Development Manager
Prestvannveien 38,
N-9291 Tromsø
Norway
Tel: +47 77 600 263
(Source KSAT)