Remote Sensing

New Survey Aircraft

RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems and Diamond Aircraft Industries introduced their next generation survey aircraft. RIEGL airborne laser scanner LMS-Q680i fully integrated into the “Universal Nose” of the Diamond DA42 Multi Purpose Platform, an efficient overall system for surveying missions is available now.
www.riegl.com

DigitalGlobe and TERI University initiative

DigitalGlobe announced a joint research initiative with India’s TERI University. The company will contribute ideas, expertise and high-resolution 8-Band multi-spectral satellite imagery from its WorldView-2 satellite to TERI University’s current research projects.
www.digitalglobe.com

Optech and DiMAC next-gen camera controller

Optech announced a tighter technical integration with the DiMAC ULTRALiGHT+ product line. New packaging, specifically conceived for lidar mapping solutions, takes advantage of recent technology advances for a more robust and flexible design.
www.optech.ca

Japan develops unmanned aircraft

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. have developed an unmanned aircraft to provide detailed aerial images of wetlands, mountains and other natural areas that are difficult for humans to reach. The camera onboard can take up to 400 color images during a single flight, capturing objects on the ground as small as 2 square centimeters in size. http://mdn.mainichi.jp

Indonesia to launch two satellites in 2011

Indonesian Institute of Aviation and Space Agency (LAPAN) will launch two satellites in the second quarter of 2011 – Lapan – A2 and Lapan – Orari. Lapan-A2 will be used for data collection of weather, ships navigation, transportation, education, healthcare and defense. Lapan – Orari will support the Indonesian Amateur Radio Organization and in disaster mitigation efforts for Earth observation by remote sensing, land use, natural resources and environmental monitoring.
www.jakartaupdates.com

Euromap and ESA commence interface to GMES

Euromap GmbH and the European Space Agency (ESA) have commenced operations with the interfaces between Euromap and ESA’s Coordinated Data Access System infrastructure.

Euromap has now become the first GMES Contributing Mission Entity of an optical mission to operationally provide data and services through the version 1 interfaces developed as part of the GMES Space Component Data Access project.
www.euromap.de

Earth science data for Africa

A partnership between NASA and agencies in Africa and Europe has sent more than 30 terabytes of free Earth science satellite data to South African researchers to support sustainable development and environmental applications in Africa. The data from one of the instruments on NASA’s Terra satellite provide observations of Africa’s surface and atmosphere, including vegetation structure, airborne pollution particles, cloud heights and winds.
www.nasa.gov

Taiwan, Nicaragua satellite imaging pact

Taiwan and Nicaragua have signed a satellite information cooperative agreement under which Taiwan will provide aerial view photographs to Nicaragua to help with disaster prevention and land utilization efforts there.
www.taiwantoday.tw