In News 
Envisat: Europe's Environment Satellite For The 21st Century
Early in 2002 an Ariane-5 rocket will launch the largest and most advanced Earth observation satellite ever built in Europe from the European Spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana. From an altitude of 800 kilometres Envisat will deliver images and data that will help us better understand and more effectively protect the Earth. This gigantic Earth observation satellite, the size of an articulated lorry, was developed under the supervision of ESA experts from the European space research and technology centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, at a cost of 2.3 billion euros. In 1988 the "Polar Platform" project, as it was then called, was agreed upon; at the beginning of the 1990s the satellite, which every hour will gather as much data as can be stored on a dozen PC hard disks, became ENVISAT (ENVIronmental SATellite). The spacecraft can monitor and show the status of the Earth, including the complex life cycle of algae blooms, or give advance warning of natural catastrophes. Envisat, with its 14 x 4.5 m solar array which delivers 6.6 kilowatts of electrical power, was ferried to its launch pad in Kourou by a Russian Antonov and two Boeing 707 freighters. The space laboratory will send its gigabytes of data to ESA's ground station in Kiruna, Sweden, the Italian ground station in Fucino or the geostationary Artemis satellite orbiting the Earth at a distance of 36000 km. Read complete article at: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-01r.html
Top Stories
E-City Software responds to demand for emergency management software
E-City Software, Inc. announced that its 3D CityMap software product, which has been in development for over two years, has a key role to play in governmental, municipal and corporate security, disaster management and emergency preparedness services. CEO Anis Jessa explained, "When we began development on the 3D CityMap product in 1998, we designed the software and the architecture to provide a unique technology for mapping urban areas that provided an ease of use, visual intensity, and a level of 3D visualization that was unavailable in the market at that time. We are pleased that potential customers of the software believe that it can play a role in enhanced corporate security and governmental disaster management response." "The 3D CityMap product could help E-City to make a contribution to enhanced public security by addressing the need of governments and corporations to disseminate rapid response information, evacuation instructions, important person extraction and other health and safety information. We are pleased that our customers and potential customers believe that this product can play a role in increasing security. We intend to do our part to assist in this important area of public safety," continued Anis Jessa.
Visit: www.ecitysoftware.com
Town of Westford to Implement Municipal Software's CityView® System
Municipal Software Corporation, a leading developer of local government business process automation software, announced today that the Town of Westford, MA has purchased CityView® to automate their Building, Zoning, Health, Conservation and Complaint Tracking processes. The total value of the contract is $75,000 (US). The Town of Westford is a vibrant community of approximately 19,000 residents and is located about 20 miles northwest of Boston.
The system will provide the Town with the ability to automate permitting, inspection and other functions with their existing ESRI ArcView mapping data. The Town of Westford has been quite progressive in the development of their GIS system, and this will be enhanced with the integration of CityView. They may opt to open up some processes to the Web at a future date. Implementation is planned to start as soon as possible and be completed prior to the busy Spring building season. The Town also intends to look at a number of options available to incorporate their existing Lotus database of historical information with the new CityView application.
Visit: www.MunicipalSoftware.com
EU says may scrap space plan unless states back it
The European Commission could withdraw its proposal to create a European version of the U.S. satellite navigation system GPS if countries do not back it next month, the EU's top transport official said on Tuesday. Loyola de Palacio said she wanted European Transport ministers to give firm political and financial support for the $2.65 billion Galileo project at their next meeting in December, or the plan could be scrapped. ``We need a decision at the next transport council (ministerial meeting) on this issue. We can not postpone again the question. We must say yes or no,'' Transport Commissioner de Palacio told reporters. EU member states have mixed views about Galileo, an ambitious plan to send up to 30 satellites into space over the next decade to create a European version of the U.S. military-run Global Positioning System. Like GPS, Galileo would allow people equipped with a receiver to pinpoint exactly where they are, useful in a range of air, sea and land navigation systems, and location-related products available on third generation mobile telephones. The main difference with GPS is that it would not be under the control of the U.S. military and would be a guaranteed continuous service for those opting to use it. Britain, along with Germany and the Netherlands has been among the countries that have voiced concerns about possible spiraling costs of the project. At a meeting in June, transport ministers agreed to inject 100 million euros into Galileo. In December they will be asked to approve a further tranche of cash of around 400 million euros to cover the initial development phase, launching up to five satellites by 2005. Read complete story at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011120/sc/space_eu_galileo_dc_1.html
Map Products Top This Season's Holiday Gift
This year more than ever, consumers are interested in learning about the world. Mapping products are ideal gifts that introduce children of all ages to faraway lands and cultures, and are treasures for years to come. The map and travel experts at Rand McNally have identified some of the hottest products of the season, perfect for holiday gift giving. "Today, consumers are looking to become more educated about their immediate surroundings as well as the world," says Scott Spenhoff, vice president of retail for Rand McNally. "No matter who you're shopping for this holiday season, gifts that balance geography and fun will satisfy the thirst for knowledge and make anyone eager to learn." Rand McNally has come up with various new consumer products for all ages. Rand McNally's top map products are available at: http://www.randmcnally.com/
Asia News
China to Receive Data Sent by French Satellite
BEIJING, November 21 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Remote-Sensing Satellite Ground Station, based in a Beijing suburb, will receive data sent by a French geo-resource observation satellite that willbe launched in April 2002.
The deal was finalized in Beijing Tuesday by the China Remote-Sensing Satellite Ground Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Spot Image Company of France.
Spot satellites are a geo-resource observation satellite seriesdeveloped by the State Aerospace Research Center of France. There are currently three such satellites orbiting the earth simultaneously.
Satellite Spot 5, set for launch next April, will be equipped with a three-dimensional imaging device and is able to obtain within 180 seconds stereo imaging data about measurable landscape in an area of 72,000 square kilometers.
China Remote-Sensing Satellite Ground Station will install a special set of reception terminals, with the technical help from the State Aerospace Research Center of France, designed and developed by China.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Desi mobile handset set to make an entry
NEW DELHI, Nov. 20 - MOVE over Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Alcatel, Mitsubishi, Siemens, Ericsson and Philips. Very soon, we could be having our very own `Made in India' cellular mobile phones giving these `big boys' a run for their money.
The recent Finance Ministry notification, slashing customs duties and special additional duty to zero levels on all parts, components and accessories for mobile handsets, aims at paving the way for the domestic manufacture of cellular handsets.
According to official sources, since the benefit of zero duty would only be available on imports made under actual user condition, its benefits would not accrue to the `big boys' who ship ready-made handsets from their factories abroad.
They pointed out that none of these manufacturers had shown any interest in setting up manufacturing units in the country, arguing that it is still not a viable proposition considering the low mobile penetration in the country. They have publicly stated that unless the subscriber base crosses the 25-million mark (at present it is 5 million), they do not intend setting up manufacturing units in the country.
The Finance Ministry notification would now make it lucrative to set up a manufacturing unit in the country, even it means just assembling the handsets. This should lead to a much more affordable handset being made available. What is more important it would also generate more employment, they said
The sources pointed out that the move, has to a large extent, been prompted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. A couple of handset manufacturers have evinced interest in setting up a manufacturing base in the State and Mr. Naidu is making all efforts to pave the way for them.
Source: Business Line (20 November 2001)
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