TOP
STORIES
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GPS significantly
impacted by powerful solar radio burst
Researchers at Cornell University confirmed solar radio bursts
can have a serious impact on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other communication
technologies using radio waves...
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Google Earth
re-refreshes New Orleans images
"Following criticism that it had by loading pre-Hurricane Katrina
images of New Orleans and surrounding areas, Google has updated its Google Earth
service...
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GeoEye establishes
Philanthropic Organization to advance Geospatial Technologies
"GeoEye announced that it has formed GeoEye Foundation to advance
excellence in university teaching GIS, aid humanitarian and environmental research
studies including climate change, and to foster the innovation and growth of
the next-generation...
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Global Marketing
Insights completes NOAA 2006 Asian Remote Sensing Study
"Global Marketing Insights Inc. has completed the "2006 Asian
Survey and Analysis of Remote Sensing Market, Aerial and Spaceborne" and delivered
the final report to NOAA ...
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4-year space
flight gap worries NASA officials
"NASA officials and U.S. policymakers are worried America's
space program will suffer because of a four-year gap in manned space flight...
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WORLD THIS WEEK
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London
creates air pollution alerts with the help of ESA
London has launched an innovative service, funded by
ESA, which delivers air pollution alerts and health advice via SMS text messages
to those who suffer from asthma and other conditions vulnerable...
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SPOT
5 satellite imagery to show changing Queensland
SPOT 5 satellite imagery will help in the management
of natural resources in SouthEast Queensland...
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Vietnam establishes
space technology institute
"Vietnam's Space Technology Institute, mainly involves developing
satellite technologies, equipment, remote sensing technology and application...
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ISRO to scale
up outsourcing to private sector
"ISRO officials said new industries are being identified for
taking up work related to ground as well as space segments...
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DigitalGlobe
helps pilots fly to safety with the Alaskan Aviation Safety Project
"Alaskan Aviation Safety Project (AASP) help to cut aviation
related accidents in 2008...
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ESA open-source
software supports Germany's TerraSAR-X
"Germany's next-generation TerraSAR-X uses sophisticated ground
infrastructure to deliver Earth observation data to scientists and commercial
customers...
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EDITORIAL
Two apparently unconnected news items: one from Cornell University regarding
the impact of December 2006 solar bursts and their effect on GPS while the other
from the Airservices Australia about the 'First Commercial Landing using GPS'.
In Chief Executive Officer Greg Russell's words ; "In late November 2006, flight
QF513 landed on Sydney Airport’s Runway 16 Left using the satellite landing system
installed by Airservices Australia”. It was further said that the passengers
were unaware of the significance of the event!!!. GPS with GBAS are being touted
in very big way and -"The 1940’s technology currently used to assist aircraft
landing will be replaced by 21st Century technology using differential satellite
positioning data", said Mr Russell. I hope the passengers in the 'guinea pig
' flight were informed of the solar activity, its effects.
The recent righteous uproar about the 'pre-Katrina' images of New Orleans being
uploaded by Google Earth and the debate that has followed had some eye openers.
I quote some of the statements here: - “Just put in big bold :'Google don't pull
wool over the world's eyes. Let the truth shine'' ' , - “I'm sure the mayor is
thrilled”(a reference to the slow pace of recovery of New Orleans and attempts
by the politicians to paint a rosy picture.), - "I think a lot of stuff they're
doing right now is smoke and mirrors because tourism is so off, It might be somebody's
weird spin on things looking better. Is Google part of the conspiracy?", said
a local fisherman. “It's a ploy of the insurance co's” was another sentiment.
Google was also questioned by some US government officials about this switch.
Well, does it mean the free data/service provided by a private company is official
status accepted by the government? This is an interesting point to discuss and
I look forward to your comments, though if anyone is serious about post Katrina
coverage, it is still available at http://earth.google.com/katrina.html . So
i wonder why the grouse against Google, and no, this is not an April Fool's Joke
– the cake for which has already been taken by the news about 'Vector maps for
the planet formerly known as Pluto' done by a Leading Alaskan company (they are
probably unaware of their achievement).
Exactly an year ago, Sir Tim Berners-Lee said that he wants open access to Ordinance
Survey's data. “There's a moral argument that says, for a well-run country, we
should know where we are, where things are, and that data should be available,"
he said. It's not the OS of the UK that understood him but the NRCAN of Canada
who have placed a large repository of digital maps and data in the public domain.
Dr. Hrishikesh Samant
hrishikesh@gisdevelopment.net
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View Points
Perspectives on GIS Education
Dr. M.M Yagoub, Dr. M.S Nathawat, Dr.-Ing. Phisan
Santitamnont, Prof. Mohd Ibrahim Seeni Mohd
This is an attempt to present the views of eminent academicians representing
different regions of Asia, namely, the Middle East, South Asia and South East
Asia, on the status of GIS education in their respective countries. ...
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NEW PRODUCTS
Google to launch 3D interactive internet visor
Google Goggles
Google representatives reported
that the company is preparing a new product called Google Goggles, an interactive
visor that will present Internet content in three dimensions...
Ananzi Maps introduces the easy-to-use aerial view
of South Africa
Utilising the cutting-edge skills
of Always Active Technology (AAT), Ananzi Maps has implemented the new mapping
system on their website www.ananzimaps.co.za...
MetaCarta introduces industry specific Online Geographic
Search
"MetaCarta introduced GeoIntel
for extended Geosearch Capabilities to the Web to provide simple way to search
web-based energy-related intelligen...
Encom extends 3D environment for Geoscientists
working with MapInfo Professional
"Encom, a provider of software,
data management and advanced technical consulting for the geosciences has released
Discover 3D 2.5. The latest release of Encom Discover 3D for MapInfo Professional,
delivers geoscientists an updated range of productivity tools...
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CORPORATE
Intermap Technologies
and GeoContent announce partnership to deliver accurate and uniform countrywide
Geospatial Data of Germany
"The partnership is focused on
complementing high-resolution aerial imagery with the most accurate and uniform
3D geometric datasets available for Germany...
China Public Security
Technology awarded $3.8 million contract from Shantou Special Economic Zone
China Public Security Technology,
a public security software solution and real-time GIS solution provider in China
announced that iASPEC, its exclusive contracting partner, has been awarded a
$3.8 million contract....
NASA awards
Rapid II contract to MicroSat systems
The contract allows MicroSat
entry into a catalog of approved vendors for fast procurement of spacecraft systems
and services...
LogiXML adds GIS integration to
Logi 8 through partnership with ESRI
Logi 8 offers robust BI functionality,
accessible by technical and non-technical users in organizations...
Xerox buys Global Imaging Systems
for USD 1.5bn
Xerox, the maker of office copiers
and printers, has clinched its acquisition after buying US equipment distributor
and satellite tracking solutions provider Global Imaging Systems for USD 1.5bn...
TerraGo Technologies expands sales
force
TerraGo Technologies has partnered
with sales and services organizations in United States, Europe and southeast
Asia to satisfy customer demands for...
NAVTEQ teams up with Autodesk and
deCarta to collaborate on Dynamic Online Venture to reach developers
NAVTEQ's colllaboration with
Autodesk and deCarta is expexted to further enable the next generation of Location-Based
Applications...
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