ISRO gets 40% more funds
India’s space research programme recently got a signifi cant 40% boost from the union budget for 2009-10. The bulk of the funds will be used in ongoing projects like development of the GSLV Mark III. www.domain-b.com
Chandrayaan-1 develops fault
India’s fi rst moon mission Chandrayaan-I has lost a major sensor. According to ISRO Spokesperson S Satish the mission is not crippled adding, “it is continuing satisfactorily.” ISRO has devised innovative technology and is using antenna pointing mechanism and gyroscopes to overcome the problem.http://timesofi ndia.indiatimes.com
WorldView-2 to launch on October 6
DigitalGlobe WorldView-2 highresolution 8-band multi-spectral satellite is scheduled to launch on October 6th, 2009. It is expected to nearly double DigitalGlobe’s collection capabilities to approximately 2million sqkms per day. http://media.digitalglobe.com
CRPF to expedite satellite project
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in India will soon approach the ISRO to expedite the ongoing project of highresolution satellite imaging and video mapping of dense forest areas, used by Naxalites and Jihadis as hideouts. Since lack of knowledge of the topography has been the biggest hurdle for security personnel, CRPF had contacted ISRO to provide such maps which would help it carry out its operations with precision www.timesofi ndia.indiatimes.com
Spot 2 Comes Down
On 30th June, Spot Image in Toulouse began de-orbiting its venerable Spot 2 Earth observation satellite, which has been in operation 14 years longer than its design life of 5 years. Meanwhile, Spot 4 and Spot 5, continue to actively collect data. Spot 6 and Spot 7 are currently under development. www.spot.com
Topographic maps of Indian coalfields
The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), an arm of the Coal India Limited, signed an MoU with the Survey of India (SOI) for preparation of the large scale updated topographical maps of 28 major coalfi elds of the country, based on remote sensing technique. The 5 years project has a budget of Rs 117 crore. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Vietnam to receive satellite images
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) recently opened Vietnam’s fi rst ground station to receive satellite pictures in Hanoi’s Tu Liem District. It can receive fi ve kinds of satellite images with high resolution, including those transmitted by Envisat. www.thanhniennews.com
RazakSAT launches successfully
RazakSAT, Malaysia’s second remote sensing satellite was launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacifi c Ocean’s Marshall Islands. RazakSAT carries a high resolution camera that can take images from space for different applications to benefi t not only Malaysia, but countries along the equatorial region. The orbital location will enable an increased frequency of image observation. The satellite will be operated through its ground segment in Malaysia, consisting of a Mission Control Station (MCS) and Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS). www.mosti.gov.my
Singapore’s CRISP receives GeoEye
The Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRSIP) at the National University of Singapore has begun downloading images from the GeoEye satellite under the terms of an agreement signed last year. First reception occurred in May. www.crisp.nus.edu.sg |