In News 
Integral System's new system for satellite image processing
Integral Systems, Inc. has announced the availability of its SKYLIGHT product line, a low-cost off-the-shelf system for acquiring, processing, and distributing satellite imagery. SKYLIGHT is an end-to-end system that includes an antenna, data capture hardware and software, data processing to create and analyse calibrated Earth images, and archiving and distribution of the images for users. Though low-cost, it is nonetheless a high performance system aimed at the Earth science market, particularly for users interested in NASA's Terra spacecraft, launched in December 1999, and its upcoming follow-on mission, Aqua. The complete system can be delivered anywhere in the world within 60 days from receipt of order. The product's open architecture can handle multiple missions, so support for satellites such as Landsat and Radarsat can be included as options. Archive access is via a web interface, and Skylight nodes all over the world will be able to see each other's archives and share data. The entire system is also available in a mobile and shipboard configuration.
Visit: http://www.integ.com/
Top Stories
US DoD Releases Updated Global Positioning System Standard
The Department of Defense today released a new Global Positioning System (GPS) performance standard. The new standard is on the Web at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/geninfo/2001SPSPerformanceStandardFINAL.pdf
The new performance standard codifies a change announced last year to discontinue DoD's ability to decrease GPS accuracy. The standard also moves some technical specifications to a supporting document, ICD-GPS-200, on the Web at http://npoesslib.ipo.noaa.gov/techlib/doc165/doc165.pdf
DoD, as operator of the GPS, now provides civil users a horizontal positioning accuracy of 36 meters, compared to 100-meter accuracy in the previous edition of the standard, which was published in 1995. DoD also promises to notify the civil user community whenever serious or unforeseen problems could affect the new performance level. Future improvements to the system are projected to include new civil codes to correct for ionospheric distortion and to assure continuity of service. The new services will be deployed with satellite launches scheduled between 2003 and 2012, with full operational capability expected in 2014.
Visit: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/p10182001_p233-01.html
Trimble Information Services and gedas Mexico to develop new telematics service
Trimble's wholly-owned subsidiary Trimble Information Services, Inc. (TIS) and gedas Mexico, one of the leading system integrators in the field of information technology and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen, have signed an agreement to launch a pilot program to provide new telematics services in Mexico. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. With the telematics pilot program, motorists will have access to directions, points of interest, emergency services, restaurants and hotels, sports and entertainment and other concierge services. These services combine gedas' call center technology, TIS' wireless location gateway technology and Trimble's Global Positioning System (GPS)-based CrossCheck® mobile communicator to create a comprehensive telematics solution. Trimble and gedas are testing the first 100 vehicles outfitted for telematics service at gedas's headquarters in Puebla, Mexico. Call center services are being provided by gedas Mexico.
Already, the value of the gedas service and Trimble's CrossCheck was demonstrated when one of the equipped vehicles was involved in an accident on the main highway between Puebla and Mexico City. The vehicle's operator pressed the emergency button and was quickly assisted by the gedas call center staff who dispatched emergency services.
Visit: http://www.trimble.com/news/101801a.htm
NDI announces release of handheld navigation system
Nautical Data International, Inc. (NDI) has announce that it is offering, for the first time, a combination of hardware and software tools that provide the recreational boater with a complete navigation system that can be held in your hand. "Combining software, hardware and chart data with a Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) for the handheld computer is the next breakthrough in navigation technology", said Brian Terry, president of NDI. Handheld computers running Windows CE now have the processing power, memory, bright screens and functionality to be the ideal navigation tool for the recreational boater. The handhelds are very compact, affordable and extremely easy to use. No longer is it necessary to carry a laptop computer and a bulky GPS receiver or buy specialized hardware to run navigation software. Credit-card sized GPS receivers can be inserted into the handheld, the appropriate navigation software and charts installed for a complete navigation solution.
Visit: www.digitalocean.ca
U.S. Navy successfully completes testing of Boeing Harpoon Block II Missile
The U.S. Navy recently completed developmental testing of the new Harpoon Block II missile at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division sea range off Pt. Mugu, Calif. Harpoon Block II provides accurate, long-range guidance for coastal and ship targets by incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition program, and the mission computer and Global Positioning System receiver/antenna from the Boeing Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER). Existing SLAM-ER navigation and land-strike software and proven Harpoon ship-attack software are the foundation for major portions of the Block II mission software. Harpoon Block II can execute both anti-ship missions and coastal target suppression. For conventional anti-ship missions, such as open-ocean or near- land, the inclusion of GPS/INS improves guidance directly to the intended target. The accurate navigation solution allows the Navy to discriminate ship targets from islands, other obstructions or neutral ships. To strike targets on land and ships in port, the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit a designated target aimpoint.
Visit: http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/missiles/harpoon/harpoon2.htm
22nd EARSeL symposium - Call for papers
22 nd EARSeL symposium on "GeoInformation for European-Wide Integration" is to be held at the Olsanka Hotel in Prague from 4-6 June 2002. The annual symposium of EARSeL (the European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories) is a forum for experts in all fields of remote sensing applications. EARSeL acts as an interface between research results and the operational applications of new technologies by user communities. We are seeking to improve the integration of new types of remote sensing data as a data source for other disciplines and with other data in Geographic Information Systems. Emphasis is focused on demonstrating the efficiency of remote sensing applications for monitoring natural and man made hazards, as well as for modelling and forecasting. Papers are welcome related to the general theme of the symposium. 31st October 2001 is the deadline for submitting abstracts. For more details visit: http://www.earsel.org/earsel_events/index.html
Asia News
Insat 3-C launch put off.
Bangalore, Oct 21 (PTI) - The launch of India's Insat-3C communication satellite on the French Arianespace rocket, Ariane-5 has been further delayed to after January 2002. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sources said.
The communication satellite was initially scheduled to be launched in mid-September, but was called off due to a technical snag during an earlier flight of Ariane-5- 142-in July, indefinitely delaying the launch.
The satellite was to be launched by a subsequent Ariane-5 rocket from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
The snag was identified by an inquiry committee as being caused by combustion instability in the upper stage ignition, due to abnormally high pressure gradient in the combustion chambers.
Source: Business Line
China to Build Model Technology Zone for Environmental Protection
BEIJING, October 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Beijing, China's capital, is going to build a showcase technology park to promote its environmental protection drive, according to an environment protection seminar held Sunday here.
Covering a total area of four square kilometers, the park will be located in the northeast part of the Zhongguancun, China's computer and information industry hub.
The park aims to claim total annual production value of up to 10 billion yuan (1.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2010, with one or two enterprises in the zone that have an annual output value of 2 billion yuan (241 million U.S. dollars).
Beijing now has 400 enterprises that make equipment designed to contribute to environmental protection, including systems for treating water and air pollution, and processing of solid waste.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
HP to Launch China Center, Add 1,500 Jobs
Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) chief executive officer Carly Fiorina said on Friday the company plans to open a software development center in Shanghai in November which will create 1,500 jobs.
"I am pleased to announce that we are celebrating our 20th anniversary in China by launching a major software development center here in Shanghai next month,'' said Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard.
"We're especially pleased that the project will create another 1,500 jobs for software professionals here in Shanghai,'' she said in remarks prepared for delivery to a business conference in Shanghai.
HP said last month about 15,000 jobs would be lost worldwide as a result of its merger with fellow tech titan, Compaq.
But the long-term growth potential of the industry remained intact despite difficult times, Fiorina's speech said -- stressing that simply cutting costs would not be enough to kick start world economic growth.
Exploring business opportunities in developing nations, where spending on information technology grew at twice the rate of spending in the industrialized world in 2000, was central to that revenue growth strategy, she said.
Source: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011019/tc/tech_hp_china_dc_1.html
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