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(9 July 2015) Ground control teams are ready to shepherd Europe’s next weather satellite through its critical first days in orbit, ensuring it is working and healthy in the harsh environment of space.

On 15 July, a team of experts will be sitting ‘on console’ in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, ESOC, in Darmstadt, Germany, watching intently as the latest Meteosat Second Generation satellite, MSG-4, separates from its Ariane launcher.

As with its three predecessors, information from the last of the MSG series is required for the ‘nowcasting’ of high-impact weather and for continuing climate research.

MSG satellites, dubbed Meteosat once operating, provide full-disc images over Europe and Africa every 15 minutes and ‘rapid scan’ imagery over Europe every five minutes.

They are operated by Eumetsat – the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites – and ESA is responsible for their design, development and in-orbit delivery.

Ariane flight VA224 is set for liftoff in a 37-minute window starting at 21:42 GMT (23:42 CEST) on Wednesday, 15 July. MSG-4 will separate from Ariane’s upper stage about 40 minutes after launch, a few minutes after its co-passenger, Embratel’s Star One C4 satellite.

Taking control

Separation marks the start of ‘LEOP’ – the launch and early orbit phase – when the satellite comes under control of the teams at ESOC, who will take it through a series of health checks and turn on up some of the units including the instruments.

This is one of the most critical phases of any satellite’s life, and experts spanning a range of specialities, including mission operations, flight dynamics, software and ground stations, will work 24 hours per day to ensure MSG-4 is operating as it should.

“In many ways, it’s a text-book LEOP for us, and very similar to the services we provided for the first three MSG satellites,” says ESA flight director Nigel Head.

“Nonetheless, we are training as thoroughly for this as for any mission, and we will be especially engaged for the most critical steps, including the orbital manoeuvres and the ejection of the main camera covers.”

Establishing a command link

During the 12-day LEOP, the satellite will fire its apogee motor four times to take it to its final geostationary orbit high above Europe, where it will be kept as a ‘hot backup’ for Eumetsat’s current Meteosat fleet.

“Even during the ride to space, MSG-4 will be switched on and sending us a continuous feed of live information on its status so we can keep a constant check on how it’s doing,” says Spacecraft Operations Manager Steve Foley.

“However, it is only when we are able to establish a commanding link, as soon as possible after separation from the Ariane launcher, that we can get going with our well-rehearsed operations.”

The first commands are expected to be sent about 41 minutes into flight, using the tracking station at Malindi, Kenya.

Intensive training

The mission control team have conducted numerous simulation training sessions using the ground systems and tracking stations that will enable engineers to control the satellite in space. Experts from ESA’s ESTEC technical centre in the Netherlands, Eumetsat and the satellite manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, also trained to be ready for any possible contingency.

After separation, flight dynamics specialists will use radio signals and other data received from MSG-4 to assess the accuracy of the satellite’s orbit injection, determine its trajectory and orientation, and then compute the duration of the motor burns to reach its final destination over the course of the next 12 days.

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(7 July 2015) MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has been awarded three contracts with the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA), an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia (MOSTI).

Under the contracts, MDA will provide:

  • A Radarsat-2 ground station, scheduled to be installed and operational in early 2016, with the capability to receive and process Radarsat-2 information for three years,
  • One year of Radarsat-2 information to be supplied in advance of the station becoming operational; and,
  • Training to develop products that provide information to support a variety of applications.

MRSA will use the information to support a number of applications, such as flood monitoring, maritime and agricultural monitoring, natural resource management, and in developing digital elevation products useful for a variety of mapping applications. Radarsat information has been incorporated into MRSA’s monitoring operations since 2003.

The Radarsat-2 satellite has global high-resolution surveillance capabilities that include a large collection capacity and high accuracy. The satellite acquires data regardless of light or weather condition, provides frequent re-visit imaging options, and is supported by ground receiving stations that provide near real-time information delivery services. This versatility makes Radarsat-2 a reliable source of information for disaster management, maritime monitoring, deformation mapping and for other applications.

About MDA

MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA’s business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA’s established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 11 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

The Company’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “MDA.”

(source: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates)

Markham, Ontario, Canada—July 8, 2015: PCI Geomatics, a world leading developer of remote sensing and photogrammetric software and systems, announced today that it has released a service pack for Geomatica 2015, only a few short weeks following the initial Geomatica 2015 software release.

The service pack features greatly improved automatic Digital Elevation Model (DEM) extraction capability, as well as other improvements.

The automated DEM extraction workflow produces high quality results that are accurate, detailed and processed very efficiently through optimized algorithms. Through internal benchmarking tests, the DEM extraction process has been improved by a factor of 2x to 4x, depending on the workflow and imagery used. This increase in speed does not come at the expense of quality or detail – DEMs extracted from high resolution aerial imagery contain fewer blunders, have cleaner building edges, handle steep slopes very well, and can also match the input imagery’s Ground Sample Distance (GSD) in some cases, providing DEMs at matching output resolution (1:1).

“We felt it was important to put this technology into the hands of our customers as soon as we could” said David Piekny, Product Marketing Manager at PCI Geomatics. “The service pack will install seamlessly on top of our customer’s existing Geomatica 2015 software, without the need to re-license. Upon contacting our Customer Support Team, customers can simply download the service pack, install, and enjoy the new and improved functionality”

For customers who are interested in trying out this new capability for the first time, a fully functional, 30 day evaluation license is available at: www.GetGeomatica.com. More information on the DEM Extraction process, the new PCI Customer Support Website can be consulted for many tutorials on automated DEM Extraction: Tutorials on how to Extract DEMs in Geomatica.

Visit the new Customer Support Website, at support.pcigeomatics.com.

About PCI Geomatics

PCI Geomatics is a world-leading developer of software and systems for remote sensing, imagery processing, and photogrammetry. With more than 30 years of experience in the geospatial industry, PCI is recognized globally for its excellence in providing software for accurately and rapidly processing both satellite and aerial imagery. PCI has installed more than 30 thousand licenses, in over 150 countries worldwide. Find out more about PCI Geomatics at www.pcigeomatics.com.

Press Contact
Kevin R. Jones
Director, Marketing and Communications
T: 819-770-0022 × 214
E: jones@pcigeomatics.com
Web: www.pcigeomatics.com

(May 2015) GAF AG, Germany and its partner Sofreco, France, are pleased to announce the awarding of the “Renforcement des Capacités de l’ Administration des Mines” contract and the initiation of activities in Gabon. The client and beneficiary is the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Tourism in Gabon. The project has been launched as a response to Gabon’s request for assistance in developing its mineral sector.

The project addresses a challenging portfolio of activities in the field of geological and environmental mapping, mineral potential assessment and institutional strengthening.

The key aspects include:

  • Geological and geotechnical mapping of the cities of Libreville and Owendo
  • Mapping of environmentally sensitive areas in the whole of Gabon
  • Synthesis of a metallogenic map of Gabon
  • Provision of support in promoting the use of mining and geological data, and establishment of procedures and facilities via which operators can obtain mining and geological data
  • Supporting of integration regarding the Kimberley process
  • Institutional and technical capacity building activities

The overall aim is to make the mining sector more attractive to private sector investment. This will strengthen the contribution of Gabon’s mining sector to economic development. The assignment is well-suited to GAF, which has a track-record of more than 20 years of experience in the provision of institutional and technical assistance in mining sector governance programmes via its consultancy services and cutting-edge software solutions. The project has a duration of two years and is part of the “PROGRAMME D’APPUI A LA GOUVERNANCE SECTORIELLE (PAGOS)” that supports mining sector governance in Gabon. It is financed by the European Union through the 10th European Development Fund.

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Just few weeks ago ESA’s Sentinel-2A satellite was successfully launched into orbit. First images taken by the Multispectral Instrument (MSI) on-board Sentinel-2A have now been published.

MSI has 13 spectral bands, from the visible to the shortwave infrared at different spatial resolutions (10, 20 and 60 meters). The MSI imageries are free of charge and are particularly well suited for land monitoring services.


Po Valley, Italy, as seen from MSI on-board Sentinel-2A (© esa)

DHI GRAS is already now looking forward to getting hands on the new data to offer improved solutions and products such as satellite derived bathymetry, marine habitat maps (coral reefs, Posidonia etc.), monitoring of water quality and turbidity at high spatial resolution, information on vegetation phenology as well as indicators for crop growth, condition and health.

Sentinel-2A provides global coverage of the Earth’s land surface every 10 days and once the twin satellite Sentinel-2B will be in orbit (launch scheduled for 2016) optical imagery can be obtained every 2-3 days at mid-latitudes. Currently, MSI is being calibrated during a three month commissioning phase.

For more information and images please visit

Space remains the ‘final frontier’ for our world and Beijing is exploring new ways to journey beyond Earth’s boundaries. Yet in addition to a spirit of adventure, jetting off into orbit has led to major advances for science and technology. Consequently, Chinese companies are boosting investments and R&D (Research & Development) support for the satellite technology industry.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) is leading the space program in the country and has signed agreements with other countries to share technologies and information. In recent years, Beijing has made remarkable progress in the ‘space race.’ Currently, more than 130 China-made spacecraft and satellites are in orbit. CNSA recognizes that its team must rely on cooperation from abroad in order to flourish.

Belgium joins China for Earth Observation mission

Beijing and Brussels approved last week a MOU (memorandum of understanding) for joint collaboration on satellite technology that could place both nations “at the forefront” to deliver vital information worldwide, as revealed by Belgian State Secretary of Science Policy Elke Sleurs. The document was signed by the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and CNSA to support space sciences, technologies and applications.

The key project would be the Earth Observation program, a satellite mission. Space agencies from both nations plan to design and build a satellite with the full capacity to deliver exclusive agriculture and environmental information to the rest of the world.

“We have been building on the scientific cooperation between Belgium and Chinese scientists over the past few years, especially in the fields of the application of Earth observation data for environmental monitoring,” Sleurs told Xinhua news agency. “The idea grew to also involve technological and industrial partners in the cooperation.”

New advances for a new space age

Through collaboration of rocket scientists from around the globe, China is making tremendous advances on space propulsion technology. CNSA hopes to launch a communications satellite that utilizes electric propulsion, according to the China Topix Website.

Wang Min, a satellite designer from the Chinese space academy, explained that using such technology can cut in half the energy requirements for a space launch, while reducing the costs of launching a satellite into space by 30 percent.

Meanwhile, there is even bigger news in regards to recent advancements in space technology. Wang Feixue, director of the Center for Satellite Navigation and Positioning Technology, has been leading China’s Beidou Satellite System, a team of 300 scientists, to enhance global satellite coverage by 2020.

“The Beidou global system will focus on upgrading precision and expanding its application in the Asia-Pacific region,” Wang told the China Daily. He described how Beidou would be a much more advanced version of GPS (Global Positioning System), which can pinpoint an object on Earth from satellite imagery within 1.5 meters at a given point, instead of the current range of 10 meters.

Nigeria goes to orbit with China

Nigerian scientists are also pursuing opportunities to work with China to jumpstart its satellite communications technology development. Abimbola Alale, managing director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat), and China’s ambassador to Nigeria Gu Xiaojie have pledged further support for bilateral scientific collaboration.

Space technology experts from China’s Great Wall Corporation will be assigned to work inside Nig ComSat facilities in Abija, as reported by AllAfrica news Website. The NigComSat is scheduled to be the first satellite station to be launched by China in the African continent.

Global values bridging China’s space dreams

Beijing is poised to stand “at the forefront” as a world leader for the future of satellite communications technology, but Chinese scientists cannot achieve success alone. They need the assistance of scientists from all over the globe. Accordingly, CNSA is taking a proactive approach by signing cooperation agreements with space agencies from other countries. Such collaboration would provide a more innovative attitude as the Chinese Dream is skyrocketing into space.

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UrtheCast Corp. (TSX:UR) (“UrtheCast” or the “Company”) announced today that it has closed its previously announced prospectus offering (the “Offering”) of 24,868,750 subscription receipts of the Company (“Subscription Receipts”), raising aggregate gross proceeds of $99,475,000. The Subscription Receipts were offered on a “bought deal” basis at a price of $4.00 per Subscription Receipt.

The Offering was conducted by a syndicate of underwriters led by Raymond James Ltd. and including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Clarus Securities Inc., Cormark Securities Inc. and Dundee Securities Ltd. (collectively, the “Underwriters”). The Offering included the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by UrtheCast to fund, in part, the purchase price of the previously announced acquisition of Elecnor, S.A.‘s Earth Observation business (the “Acquisition”), which, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, is expected to close on or before August 21, 2015. Further details concerning the Subscription Receipts and the Acquisition are set out in the Company’s press releases dated June 22, 2015 and entitled “UrtheCast Corp. to Raise $100 Million of New Capital in Conjunction with Acquisition of the Earth Observation Business of Elecnor, S.A.” and “UrtheCast To Acquire the Deimos Imaging Earth Observation Business from Elecnor, S.A.”, respectively, the investor presentation dated June 22, 2015 and the prospectus supplement dated June 24, 2015, each of which is filed on UrtheCast’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

The Subscription Receipts are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “UR.R”.

This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The Subscription Receipts and the Common Shares issuable upon exchange thereof have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

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C-CORE, a Canadian applied R&D company with expertise in adapting space technologies for use in harsh terrestrial environments, is taking advantage of new capabilities offered by ESA’s Sentinel-1 mission to improve its EO-based maritime monitoring service.

The service, which provides day/night, all-weather, large-area reconnaissance specifically to detect and classify icebergs and to distinguish icebergs from seagoing vessels, helps mitigate risk for oil and gas operations in ice-prone oceans: once detected, icebergs approaching operational areas can be pushed or pulled off course, preventing potentially damaging contact with fixed structures and reducing downtime due to disconnection for floating platforms.

The process is automated using C‑CORE’s proprietary Iceberg Detection Software (IDS), with 24/7 quality control provided by C-CORE’s team of EO specialists, so that clients get near-real-time information in a format customized to their specifications. Surveillance plans for regions of interest are also developed specifically for each client. C-CORE is now upgrading its IDS to handle Sentinel-1 imagery; testing of this new capability has been ongoing during the 2015 iceberg season, and the results have been posted to Icebergfinder.com, a website developed by C-CORE to show the locations of icebergs that can be viewed from shore. C-CORE is further enhancing IDS to automatically download and process imagery to handle the large volume of Sentinel-1 data, as well as to alert analysts to review the imagery more quickly.

Figure Caption: Sentinel-1A IW Swath image (right) used to locate icebergs for the tourism website Icebergfinder.com (left) in Northern Newfoundland. The location of the icebergs on the Iceberg Map were extracted from detections taken from the Sentinel-1 image. The icebergs are located with IDS after the land and islands are masked out of the SAR image.

India has prepared a concept note of the new SAARC satellite (tentatively called SAARC SAT) to the other members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), in preparation of a special meeting this week. SAARC is an economic and geopolitical organisation of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia or Indian subcontinent.

The main areas of application for SAARC SAT include telemedicine, emergency communication in disaster situations, intergovernmental and business networks, online skill development and even television broadcasting.

SAARC SAT was proposed by the Indian PM Norendra Modu last year and will be a two ton communication satellite for the whole region. It will be funded by India and launched using the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) launch vehicle at the spaceport of Sriharikota.

Source UN-Spider

and The economic times

(1 July 2015) For the first time ever, two of ESA’s flagship space missions – Cluster and Swarm – have joined forces to simultaneously measure the properties of Earth’s magnetic field at two different altitudes.

This is the first time that multiple spacecraft have simultaneously and directly measured the current density of the magnetic field surrounding our planet at each location. Their results not only explore and characterise the magnetic behaviour in the space around our planet, but also directly show a clear link between field-aligned currents flowing at different altitudes around the Earth.

One of the key aims of ESA’s Swarm mission, consisting of three satellites launched in November 2013 into low Earth orbit, is to probe and explore the strength, properties, and dynamics of Earth’s internal magnetic field in greater detail than ever before.

However, the satellites’ delicate sensors also pick up the natural and powerful electric currents flowing throughout our planet’s ionosphere and magnetosphere, driven by the wind of charged particles streaming from the Sun. The ionosphere is an ionised region of Earth’s upper atmosphere extending upwards to about 1000 km, with the magnetosphere, the region in which Earth’s magnetic field dominates, sitting above it and stretching much further out into space.

Ionospheric currents are thought to be connected to those in the magnetosphere via FACs. Understanding and separating the various magnetic sources and streams is vital so that missions like Swarm can isolate Earth’s more subtle interior dynamics – FACs in particular are known to disturb such measurements in the planet’s polar regions.

“Swarm and Cluster took readings at altitudes of 500 and 15 000 kilometres respectively,” explained Malcolm Dunlop, lead author of the new study. Dunlop is a professor at Beihang University in Beijing, China, a visiting professor at Imperial College London, UK, the PI institute for Cluster’s magnetometer, and a space environment scientist at RAL (STFC), UK.

“The Swarm spacecraft are orbiting just within the ionosphere, whereas Cluster is in the magnetosphere, so they’re in very different regions of space,” he added. “The data sent back by both missions show that large-scale FACs in the measured regions have clearly matching behaviour and structure – the first time this has been seen directly from local magnetic gradients.”

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