Galileo gets the go-ahead
Galileo finally got the go-ahead at the end of November when European nations involved in the project agreed to build the EUR 3.4 billion satellite navigation system. Thirty satellites will be placed in a mid-earth orbit and supported by ground stations in Italy and Germany. A third ground centre dedicated to civil protection, in particular in the area of maritime, air and rail security, will be based in Spain. This control centre is expected to take on further responsibilities as the Galileo system is developed. www.djnewswires.com/eu

Better ‘eye’ in space for Malaysia
Weighing 180 kg and with a 2.5 m resolution, Malaysia’s second remotesensing satellite shall provide images every 100 minutes. The RazakSAT is expected to be launched into space by the middle of this year. The satellite was jointly developed by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd and Satellite Technology Research Center Initiative Co Ltd, South Korea. The cost of the RazakSAT programme is RM60 million. http://www.nst.com.my/

Mapping center of israel to launch Geography portal
The Mapping Center of Israel (MAPI) will soon launch a new national geography portal. The new site will have 120 information levels about land, outline plans, maps, trips, sites, aerial images, and historical maps. The maps on the site were created through collaboration with various ministries and will be free. www.globes.co.il

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

WorldView-1 reaches full operational capability
WorldView-1 is now fully commissed, meets all its requirements, and is delivering imagery to the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA) as part of the NextView program. DigitalGlobe will begin taking orders for WorldView-1 imagery from its global resellers, …

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

Satellite imaging for rail navigation
Indian Railways have sanctioned a pilot project, Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation (SIMRAN), for real time passenger information system by utilizing GPS. This project is being carried out jointly by Research Designs & Standard Organization, Lucknow and Indian …

Raytheon completes final system test for Indian SBAS
Raytheon, USA has completed the final system acceptance test to augment standard GPS signals over India. The latest test of the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation-Technology Demonstration System, or GAGAN-TDS, is a milestone in the worldwide transition to satellitebased navigation for civil aviation. When completed, GAGAN will join …

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

Geneq introduces submeter GPS mapping receiver
Geneq, Inc., the pioneer in WAAS-based submeter GPS mapping systems, introduces the SXBlue II, a next generation submeter, Bluetooth™ wireless GPS mapping receiver that allows to use off-the-shelf Bluetooth™-enabled PDA/notebook computers to collect GPS map data. http://www.geneq.com.
Chronos …

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

MapmyIndia launches Incar GPS navigation
MapmyIndia – India’s navigable map data provider announced the launch of MapmyIndia Navigator, a GPS-based incar navigation device that promises to revolutionize the way we travel in India. Navigator uses satellites to determine current location. Navigator guides, …

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

Partial funding through EU farming subsidies

Following months of disagreements, the EU has reached a funding compromise and resolved the crisis around its Galileo satellite navigation system. Two thirds of the missing 2.4 billion euros will be provided from EU farming pots alone. …

The European Parliament has voted to boost funding for the European Institute of Technology (EIT) and Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, at its first reading vote on the draft budget for 2008. The MEPs voted to reverse over €1.5 billion of cuts made by the Council to payments under the headings 1a (competitiveness, growth, employment) and 1b (cohesion).