IMAGING

Pakistan to launch remote sensing satellite in 2018

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is set to launch the country’s first remotesensing satellite in March 2018. Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain said that ultimate aim of launching the remote sensing satellite will be giving a boost to the national development activities.

ISRO sanctions Rs. 36 lakh to CGIPS

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has sanctioned Rs.36 lakh to the Centre for Geoinformatics and Planetary Studies (CGIPS), Periyar University, to carry out research on lunar and martian surfaces. The ISRO has sanctioned the research project to S. Anbazhagan, Director for the Centre under its Announcement Opportunity (AO) programme, coordinated by the Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad, according to C. Swaminathan, Vice Chancellor of the University.

The Centre will utilise the funds for analysing data of Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyan satellites to understand the geological activities of lunar and martian surfaces. Prof. Anbazhagan, Principal Investigator of the projects, has said that the surfaces of the Mars preserve evidence for hydrological activity in the form of valley networks and outfl ow channels. www.thehindu.com

Tanzania will use drones to aid in mapping, prevent clashes over land

Tanzania’s government is set to deploy drones to speed up land mapping in rural areas in a bid to halt frequent, sometimes deadly clashes between farmers and cattle herders over land and scarce water resources. In 2014, local media reported repeated outbreaks of fighting over land in Tanzania’s northern Manyara region, resulting in several deaths. Aided by drones, more than 300,000 title deeds are expected to be issued in Ulanga, Kilombero and Malinyi districts in eastern Morogoro, under a project by the World Bank and a local parastatal, the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). The titles are expected to be issued within a year of successfully using the new technology. www.voanews.com

FARO VectorRI Imaging Laser Radar

FARO® has announced the launch of the FARO VectorRI Imaging Laser Radar, an ultra-high speed, large-volume, non-contact 3D measurement solution with high-resolution 3D imaging and projection guidance for manual and automated manufacturing processes. This product introduces a new class of LIDAR with High Speed Imaging (HSI) technology. HSI combines ultra-high speed 3D scanning and ranging with highresolution 3D imaging and projection. It is the world’s first and only LIDAR with HSI technology delivering performance improvements over traditional LIDAR solutions, with high speed distance measurement, high speed beam steering, image-contrast functionality and projection guidance capabilities. www.faro.com

SimActive brings picture-in-picture 3d viewing with version 6.5

SimActive Inc. has announced Correlator3D™ version 6.5 with a new picture-in-picture (PiP) feature. The PiP brings a 3D rendered view of projects through an inset window, visible at all times to streamline processing and editing. The PiP allows a 3D visual assessment of data and results throughout the entire production workfl ow, including realtime modifications displayed during DEM editing. www.simactive.com

DAT/EM Systems releases software Version 7.3

DAT/EM Systems International has announced the release of the 7.3 edition of DAT/EM software products. Updated products include Summit Evolution™ 3D photogrammetric workstation, LandScape™ 3D point cloud viewing and editing software as well as Capture™, which links Summit Evolution and LandScape products to third party programs including ArcGIS® and ArcGIS Pro, AutoCAD®, Global Mapper® and MicroStation®. www.datem.com/