IMAGING

FAA will miss 2015 UAV deadline

The FAA is unlikely to meet its 2015 deadline for integrating UAVs into the National Airspace System, according to a report by the Department of Transportation’s Office.

The 33-page report notes that the FAA has yet to reach consensus on standards for technology that would enable UAS to detect and avoid other aircraft and ensure reliable datalink communication between ground stations and the unmanned aircraft they control.

The FAA has also been unable to establish the regulatory framework for UAS integration, such as aircraft certification requirements, standard air traffic procedures for safely mixing UAVs with manned aircraft, or an adequate controller training program for managing UAV operations. www.flyingmag.com

Mesa County in Colorado, USA to operate Trimble’s UAS

Mesa County in Colorado, USA has received a Certificate of Authorization (COA) that will allow the Public Works Department to operate its Trimble® UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution throughout the county. A COA is an authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing the operation of an unmanned aircraft in a designated area and not for commercial use. www.trimble.com

Rockwell Collins to provide Micro INS for Brazil’s FT Sistemas UAS

FT Sistemas has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its Micro Inertial Navigation Sensor (INS) for the Horus 100, a handlaunched UAV to be deployed by the Brazilian Armed Forces. It is an advanced INS/GPS with an integrated air data system and magnetometer that offers complete and accurate platform state data. Weighing around 100 grams, the Micro INS incorporates an internal disk-onchip for extended data logging, and meets demanding environmental requirements for shock, vibration, temperature and humidity. www.rockwellcollins.com

Philippines to launch own microsatellite in 2016

The Philippines is blasting off into the space age with the planned launching of its own microsatellite in July,2016, with the cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the space venture is part of the government’s disaster risk management program. www.mb.com.ph/

Phase One Industrial announces iX Capture

Phase One Industrial has announced the release of Phase One iX Capture, an image capture and RAW conversion application designed specifically for aerial photography. An intuitive interface displays key information such as exposure settings and history, histogram, GPS data and frame count. The image display can be paused at any time to enable operators to inspect images by zooming to 100 percent or to set white balance. iX Capture enables operators to track each capture and utilize real-time feedback to be confident that each image has been captured correctly. www.industrial.phaseone.com

Antrix has earned Rs 4,408 crore since 1992

Antrix, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has generated Rs 4,408 crore since 1992 by rendering different services. Acoording to Minister of State for Department of Space, Antrix provides various services, including marketing and direct reception of data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellites to national and international clientele and leasing of satellite transponders on-board INSAT/GSAT satellites. www.business-standard.com

MOU between CGWB and IIRS Signed

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Central Ground Water Board and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing signed to facilitate a collaborative study to assess the impact of ground water abstraction on land subsidence in Northern India. The study involves application of state of art technologies such as Space borne Geodetic observations on land subsidence, predictive modelling, intercomparison of land subsidence, ground water depletion and space based gravity anomaly etc. Deliverables include land subsidence information for selected cities of northern India and regional groundwater depletion scenario along with recharge assessment. The study will be first of its kind in India and will have great significance in identification of hotspots affected by over exploitation of ground water. www.business-standard.com

Chinese remote sensing drone sets 30-hour flying record

A new Chinese UAV set a new record for thecountry’s remote sensing drones by flying for more than 30 hours consecutively, the UAV’sdeveloper, the Chinese Academy of Surveying & Mapping (CASM), announced. The previous record time was 16 hours. Coupled with China’s Beidou Navigation Sat elliteSystem, the UAV system can carry out rapid mapping without ground control points. CASM said that the newly developed system will make it possible for several drones to fly within one airspace simultaneously, thanks to breakthroughs in tele communications technologies. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

IRS to give data to Brazil’s earth station

A new agreement has been signed by India and Brazil in Brasilia under which both sides have agreed to augment the cooperation of a Brazilian earth station for receiving and processing data from Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS).

The agreement says that the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil would work together with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to accomplish the actions in the agreement. ISRO shall make available to INPE remotely sensed data of areas within the acquisition radius of INPE’s earth station in Cuiaba acquired by AWiFS and LISS-III payloads of IRS satellites. www.delhidailynews.com