India’s GSAT-8 satellite to help GAGAN:
India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-8 successfully launched into its geosynchronous transfer orbit by Arianespace’s launch vehicle Ariane-5 from Kourou in French Guyana. Weighing about 3100 Kg, GSAT-8 is configured to carry 24 high-power transponders and a two channel GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload.

Russia invites Sweden to join GLONASS
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin invited Sweden to increase its cooperation on GLONASS satellite navigation system, during his visit to Stockholm, Sweden. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the space industry, including their intention to launch Swedish satellites using Russian carrier rockets.

India grant-in-aid for GAGAN project: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in India approved a one time grant-in aid of INR 378 crore as budgetary support for implementation of GPS-aided Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN). The GAGAN system, estimated to cost INR 774 crore, would make the skies from South-east Asia to Africa, including Indian airspace, much safer. The system, being developed jointly by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), would place India in the fourth position along with the US, Europe and Japan to have such an advanced navigation system.

PRS92 surveying standard compulsory
All offices of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines have to adopt the Philippine Reference System of 1992 (PRS92) as the standard reference for all their surveying and mapping activities. “PRS92 is based on the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84) which makes use of the GPS. Adoption of this system in the Philippines may help the country to be at par with global standards.

Japan keen to own navigation satellite system
Japan is considering launching new satellites to establish its own global navigation satellite system (GNSS) in a bid to reduce its reliance on GPS network. The country aims to make it 10 times more accurate than GPS. The satellites would be of the same type as the so-called quasi-zenith satellite, Michibiki, or of a geostationary type. The project is being drafted by the Strategic Headquarters for Space Development headed by Naoto Kan, Prime Minister, Japan.

Taiwanese technology reads damaged GPS chips Glonass-K launch postponed to next year Big blow to Russian navigation satellite system Two satellites join GLONASS China prepares for 7th Compass/BeiDou-2 Launch Scientists using high precision location data in epidemiology High-tech tracking of infra development in Bihar, India GPS tracking of criminals taking off in Nepal

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

All JAVAD GNSS receivers track QZSS Satellite
JAVAD GNSS engineers in Moscow tracked Japan’s first QZSS satellite and its new L1C signal. The C/A, L2C, L5, SAIF and the new L1C signals were collected when QZSS-1 satellite was visible in Moscow. QZSS is …

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

Air Force rebuts auditor’s concerns about GPS
A report from the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the latest GPS satellite was launched almost 3½ years behind schedule, and further delays could leave the system with fewer than the 24 …

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

MICHIBIKI successfully launched
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite “MICHIBIKI” by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 28 …

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

“Global Geospatial Initiative”
In an effort to assist emerging, and disaster-stricken, economies to more effectively enter the global marketplace, The Gadfly Project is introducing its Global Geospatial Initiative. This program will make cutting edge geo-based technologies available, at a fraction of the cost, …