IMAGING

FARO® CAM2® SmartInspect 1.2

FARO Technologies, Inc has released FARO CAM2 SmartInspect 1.2, the industry’s first full-featured portable software for basic geometric measurements without CAD, for FARO Laser Tracker and FaroArm. This release reinforces FARO’s continued commitment to simplify 3D measurement. The CAM2 SmartInspect 1.2 can now interface with the FARO Laser Tracker, to provide a simple and efficient solution for those who require the accuracy and large measurement volume provided by the capabilities of the laser trackers, but not the complexity of CADbased software. www.faroasia.com

Integration of Hyperspectral and NDVI Sensors with EnsoMOSAIC Survey System

MosaicMill has integrated Rikola hyperspectral and Nikon D800 CIR sensors with EnsoMOSAIC manned survey system. Dual sensor system enables simultaneous collection of 35 Mpix CIR/RGB images and 1 Mpix 40-band hyperspectral images. Data from both sensors are processed into seamless orthomosaics with EnsoMOSAIC image rectification software and into point clouds and elevation models with EnsoMOSAIC 3D software. This integrated system can be installed into practically any aircraft, including mono and bimotor Pipers and Cessnas as well as ultra light vehicles.Two sensor system has major advantages in forestry and agriculture mapping as CIR/RGB images can be used for canopy surface modeling and vegetation index calculations.

Russian Resurs-P satellite of remote sensing put in orbit

Russia’s satellite of remote sensing of the Earth Resurs-P number 2 has separated from the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket and reached the designated orbit, a spokesman for the Russian Space Agency told TASS. The satellite is designed for detailed, broadband and hyperspectral opto-electronic surveillance of the Earth surface. These data will be used by Russia’s ministry of natural resources, hydrometeorological service, emergencies ministry, ministry of agriculture, federal agency for fisheries and others. The satellite also has Nuklon equipment to explore outer space and register radiation. http://itar-tass.com/

Optech announces Titan multispectral airborne lidar sensor

Optech has announced the latest addition to its innovative line of airborne laser terrain mappers (ALTM), the Optech Titan, launching a new era in remote sensing. For the first time ever, multispectral active imaging of the environment can occur day or night, enabling new vertical applications and information extraction capabilities for lidar.

China launches remote sensing satellite

A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Yaogan-26 remote sensing satellite blasted off from the launch pad at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Taiyuan, capital of north China’s Shanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2014. Yaogan satellites are mainly used for scientific experiments, natural resource surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster relief.The satellite will mainly be used for scientific experiments, land surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention. http://english.cri.cn/

Brazil’s INPE provides Indian satellite images

The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has started the processing and distribution of Indian satellite data ResourceSat-2. The images can be accessed for free through INPE’s official portal. Developed by India, ResourceSat-2 satellite has three imaging cameras: LISS-3, LISS-4 and AWIFS. The data will be distributed in Brazil by INPE the Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWIFS) data, which has spatial resolution of 56 meters and LISS-3, with a spatial resolution of 23.5 meters.

63rd successful launch in a row of Ariane 5

Ariane 5 has been successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana, for the 63rd time in a row, developed and built by Airbus Defence and Space. The required performance for this, the 221st Ariane flight – for which Arianespace conducted the launch operations – was to transport 10,210 kg into geostationary transfer orbit, with the two satellites weighing a total of 9,480 kg. The remaining mass was for the SYLDA dual launch system and the satellite integration hardware. www.astrium.eads.net

L’Avion Jaune Selects Septentrio’s RTK Technology for YellowScan

Septentrio has announced that L’Avion Jaune, a leading service provider and airborne sensors integrator in the field of aerial surveys with a decade of experience in UAV technologies has selected the Septentrio AsteRx-m™ for its robustness and low-power consumption, to equip the YellowScan system, which is the world’s lightest all-in-one solution designed to deliver quality aerial surveys carried out using a LiDAR sensor aboard UAVs. The self-contained system integrates into a small package all the necessary equipment for conducting airborne surveys: a 3D laser scanner, an AHRS, a controller, an autonomous power supply module and the AsteRx-m™, a high-performance precision GNSS receiver. www.septentrio.com

Debate on US discrimination of Glonass system in UN

Moscow intends to bring the issue of alleged discrimination against GLONASS by the US to the United Nations, according to GLONASS Union President Alexander Gurko.

“This is the first-ever case of introduction of licensing and certification of navigation systems. If the United States decides to license providers of the global navigation satellite systems, certify multisystem receivers, and impose restrictive measures against GLONASS… a danger of discrimination against using GLONASS will be created,” Gurko said. http://sputniknews.com/