Second Galileo test satellite launched successfully

Giove-B, the second test satellite for Galileo, was launched aboard a Russian rocket departing from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The European Space Agency confirmed that the two solar panels powering the satellite had deployed without incident and were fully. Giove-B will start In-Orbit Validation of the signal configuration and carry out tests of high precision signal ranging. On board the satellite is an extremely accurate atomic clock based on a MASER (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) and two rubidium atomic clocks. http://www.heise-online.co.uk

India’s leap into space

On April 28, 2008, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C9, successfully launched the 690 kg Indian remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT- 2A, the 83 kg Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites for international customers into a 637 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). PSLV-C9 in its ‘core alone’ configuration launched ten satellites with a total weight of about 820 kg.

Industrial GNSS market to Hit $240B by 2013

According to ABI Research, industrial applications such as network timing, land surveying, and machine control are quickly gaining momentum. It forecasts that by 2013 GNSS end-user devices and systems will generate yearly revenues of $240 billion. However, innovative workaround solutions based on the post-processing of the GPS signal are being developed, as is the use of assisted-GPS technology to provide location and satellite data to connected devices for faster fixes and better coverage http://www.abiresearch.com

Geospatial data to go online with Brunei Spatial Data Infrastructure launch

BSDI is the technology, standards, access system and protocols necessary to harmonise all of the Sultanate’s geospatial databases and make them available on the internet. It is facilitated by the Ministry of Development and led by the Department of Survey in partnership with the Land and Town and Country Planning. BSDI will publish base layers of geographic data such as elevations, transportation systems and water bodies that provide context and reference information for Brunei Darussalam. http://www.brunei-online.com

More than 100 million users of mobile LBS in Europe by 2012
According to Berg Insight, more than 100 million mobile subscribers in Europe will use LBS by 2012. Mapping, navigation and search are believed to become the top applications, followed by social networking and tracking. johan.fagerberg@berginsight.com

Spirent delivers 3 carrier solution, launches GSS8000

The architecture of Spirent’s systems is designed to support coherent simulation of multiple GNSS signals together. The SimGEN for Windows® software enables control and flexibility over multiple satellite constellations as well as interference sources and augmentation systems such as EGNOS and WAAS. It operates in real time to generate simulated RF signals across all GNSS and interference signals. Spirent Communications has also recently launched new Spirent GSS8000 simulation system, a signal generator unit for GPS, Galileo and GLONASS testing. It tests advanced satellite navigation technologies and offers enhanced capability, increased flexibility and improved signal fidelity.This new solution supports processing rates as low as 4 ms with pseudorange accuracy at 1 mm for many scenarios. Its new design allows for a wide variety of configurations from GPS L1 right up to comprehensive multi-RF output and/or multi-constellation test systems. http://www.spirent.com

Taiwan’s GPS makers to tap European market with new devices

According to industry sources, Taiwanese GPS devices makers like Mio Technology Ltd. and Asustek Computer Inc are actively tapping the European market this year, with new products. Global sales of GPS devices are estimated to top US$30 billion this year. Europe absorbs nearly 60% of world`s total annual shipment. Last year, sales in the European market sharply shot up 82%. http://cens.com//cens/

Nokia launches global Ad campaign for GPS-enabled N82 handset

“The Urbanista Diaries,” is the new global campaign by Nokia to promote the recently launched Nokia N82 that features a 5 megapixel camera and integrated GPS. The campaign engages bloggers, journalists, and everyday people to promote the phone.

3D-Laser Scanning possible up to 2000m

RIEGL has recently launched 3D laser scanner LMS-Z620, especially optimised for long range topography and mining applications. It is providing a maximum measurement range of 2000m on natural targets and a reduced beam divergence of just 0.15 mrad, performance data which are unrivalled in the market of high-speed laser scanners. It has RiSCAN PRO´s backsighting and Multi Station Adjustment functionality as well. www.riegl.com

ESA confirms SSTL’s GIOVE-A full mission success

GIOVE-A, the first satellite in the Galileo satellite navigation system celebrates 27 months in orbit this month, marking the completion of its nominal mission lifetime. The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed that the pioneering Medium-Earth Orbit satellite is a “full mission success” and has contracted SSTL to continue operations for an additional year as the satellite continues to perform and provide valuable Galileo services. Under a 28M euros contract, the 660kg satellite was developed by SSTL for the ESA.

The primary mission was to secure the Galileo frequency filings at the International Telecommunications Union. The satellite also played a crucial role as a test-bed for the Galileo payload units, providing a representative signal-in-space for ground-based experimentation with Galileo signals and characterizing the radiation environment for the Medium Earth Orbit which will be used by all future Galileo satellites. Following successful launch and commissioning, the GIOVE-A team undertook an intensive six-week payload in-orbit test campaign using the 25m dish at the Science Technology and Facilities Council Chilbolton station. Through these activities ESA was able to claim the frequency filings three months before the license expired.

Since commissioning the satellite has achieved a remarkably high operational availability with signals being broadcast for 99.8% of the time over the last year. The primary atomic clock, fundamental to all future Galileo satellites in providing highly accurate positioning and time reference signals, has been operating continuously since June 2007. Thirteen sensor stations around the world are used by ESA to track GIOVE-A and GPS navigation signals and these have demonstrated that Galileo will be a highly accurate navigation system. www.gpsdaily.com