Remote Sensing

Bhuvan announces thematic services

Bhuvan, ISRO’s geoportal and gateway to Indian earth-observation data products and services, announced that now users can select, browse and query the thematic datasets from its website. Users can also use these thematic datasets and integrate them into their systems as OGC web services. At present, Land Use Land Cover (LULC) 50K : 2005-2006, datasets are available on the website. It can be accessed from the link provided at the Bhuvan home page (www.bhuvan.nrsc. gov.in) or accessed directly from http:// bhuvan-noeda.nrsc.gov.in/theme

Taiwan schedules a series of RS satellite launch

The launch date for FORMOSAT-5, a remote-sensing satellite, is scheduled for 2014, while 12 meteorological satellites under the FORMOSAT-7 programme are scheduled to be launched in 2015 and 2017, according to Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO).
www.focustaiwan.tw

EC proposes common border surveillance system

The European Commission (EC) proposed European Border Surveillance (EUROSUR) to enhance internal coordination between member states in the fi ght against illegal immigration and also to improve the combat other serious crimes such as traffi cking in drugs and human traffi cking. Under the proposed surveillance system, exchange of operational data and the use of modern surveillance technology which facilitates real time satellite imagery between national border surveillance authorities, is compulsory.
www.larazon.es

China to launch satellite for geological mapping

China will launch Ziyuan III, its fi rstever high-resolution geological mapping satellite for civil purposes, in January 2012, Xinhua reported. The Ziyuan III’s surveying covers the entire area between 84 degrees north latitude and 84 degrees south latitude. The satellite will be used to conduct geological mapping, carry out surveys on land resources, help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention, and lend assistance to farming, water conservation, urban planning and other sectors.
Xinhua

Satellite images reveal setback for Iranian missile programme

Satellite images have revealed what appears to be a major setback for the Iranian missile programme. A new image obtained by CBS News shows extensive damage from an explosion three weeks ago.
www.cbsnews.com

China to develop system to count carbon emissions

China will develop its own system for monitoring and accurately calculating the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to Ding Zhongli, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). In addition, China also plans to set up a system to monitor atmospheric CO2 concentration through remote sensing satellite, aerial and ground monitoring, and atmospheric modelling, he told to a China daily. Zhongli explained that there is no comparable system in place currently and its creation will help the country fi nd out exactly how much GHG it emits, knowledge which is an essential basis for China’s carbon emission reduction efforts.
http://news.xinhuanet.com

Malaysia curbs illegal logging using geospatial tech

Number of illegal logging cases nationwide declined as the Forestry Department extensively used remote sensing and GIS technology to trap illegal loggers, according to Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department. There were 54 cases last year, and as of this October, only 17 cases were reported, including illegal felling in both forest reserves and government land.
www.nst.com.my

DigitalGlobe completes enhanced view critical design review

DigitalGlobe has successfully completed the latest infrastructure enhancement critical design review (CDR) for the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA). To date, DigitalGlobe passed every milestone for the EnhancedView programme on schedule.
www.digitalglobe.com

CNES receives first imagery from Pleiades 1

The new French high-resolution Pleiades 1 earth-observation satellite sent down its fi rst pictures. One of the shots released by the French space agency (CNES) is of central Paris, showing the Louvre and the Place De La Concorde – “naturellement”. The satellite was launched on December 16, 2011. The Pleiades project has been in development for the best part of a decade. It will produce pictures that have a resolution of 50cm after processing. The satellite will give Europe a high performance capability to rival that of the US.
www.bbc.co.uk