States Run Show:
Russia upholds ban on high resolution data.China cracks down illegal mapping.
South Korea raids Google offices.Demands in Pakistan to ban Google.

The dragon moves. And moves faster. Has already sent into the orbit. The 8th navigational satellite. A transition appears. From ‘one of the players’ to ‘the player’. Will set the tone of the future GNSS, And redefine the dynamics, Among various stakeholders in GNSS. With its own stakes, high.

Tsunami in ocean, in coasts, in lands, …In our minds too.Throwing new challenges on develpoment models,Raising questions on research, earthquake predictions, etc. Managing disasters of this magnitude,
Trigerring thinking and rethinking. The tsunami continues…

The USA moves ahead with GPS III.
China takes a leap forward with five satellites of COMPASS last year.
And promises four more this year.
GALILEO appears for a compromise of 18 satellites as of now.
And Japan assures of a steady progress with MICHIBIKI in place.
GLONASS suffers a massive setback with of loss of three satellites.
But the zeal continues with GLONASS K in place.
Many such voices were made and heard.
At recently held Munich Satellite Navigation Summit in Germany.
And also was heard.
A loud silence on Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System.

In the so called Tri-Valley Universityí in California, USA.
Students were allegedly duped and framed.
Now, tagged with GPS ankle-bracelets.
By the officials of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Why so?

GNSS and the GNSS market.
Indicates significant growth.
And immense potential,
In different and emerging application segments
In the world that is developed
And also, that is developing.
The technology is setting a stage.
To change our lives.
In the decade,
That, apparently, belongs to GNSS.
Assuming requisite ingredients
remain available.
May all of us have a happy year 2011.

Diplomacy, democracy, autocracy, hypocrisy.
Mess, Press, suppress.
Expose and impose.
Dare, share and scare.
Fear and smear.
Right and rights.
Preach and practice.
Action and overreaction.
Force and coerce.
Sneak and sleaze.
Damage and rampage.
Credibility and vulnerability.
Cover and cover up.
Control, control and control.

Bal Krishna, Editor
bal@mycoordinates.org

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Compass and Galileo.
Apparently heading for a ‘head on’,
On frequency and signal issues.
In a world of multi GNSS systems,
With different priorities and agendas,
Such differences are inevitable.
But we do need a compatible and interoperable environment.
At the same time, we do live with conflicts and coexist.
Don’t we?

Bal Krishna, Editor
bal@mycoordinates.org

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With the evolution of technology.
GIS, GPS, LiDAR, mobile mapping, …
And changing societal needs for spatial information.
Google maps, in-car navigation, PDA, iPods, iPads, …
Facebook, twitter, smart phones, …
The role of surveyors needs to evolve.
From ‘product orientation’ to data analysts,
Quality control and quality assurance specialists.
The change has begun.
Adaptation is inevitable (read page 7).

Bal Krishna, Editor
bal@mycoordinates.org

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MICHIBIKI

Asia seems to be emerging.
As a new centre for satellite navigation.
China is moving fast.
India is maintaining its own pace.
Now Japan is set to touch the zenith.
With the scheduled launch of MICHIBIKI.
The first satellite of Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).
A landmark in the regional navigation system.
The sun rises.
Again in the East.

Bal Krishna, Editor
bal@mycoordinates.org

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