Top Stories
Geomatica OrthoEngine dazzles INTA (Spain)
PCI Geomatics has announced that the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (The Remote Sensing Laboratory of the National Aerospace Technology Institute, or INTA) in Spain will use PCI Geomatics' Geomatica OrthoEngine software for their orientation and orthorectification processing tasks. Recently acquired by INTA, OrthoEngine software will be used in conjunction with INTA's own airborne sensor technology. In addition, PCI Geomatics software will be used to integrate ancillary data from GPS and inertial navigation systems. INTA is a division within the Spanish Ministry of Defense. Not only is Geomatica OrthoEngine capable of assisting INTA with their orientation and orthorectification tasks, it can also help their GIS users and map producers use digital photogrammetry to obtain the most from their imagery data. Imagery and imagery-derived products form a large part of the foundation data for GIS operations, map-making, and visualization. An easy-to-use and complete product, Geomatica OrthoEngine technology addresses a variety of photogrammetric needs for producing high-quality 2D and 3D geospatial information for GIS, CAD, mapping applications, and other operations.
Visit:
www.pcigeomatics.com
French Defence Ministry bars sales of satellite pictures of Afghanistan
The French company SPOT Image, which sells satellite pictures, said Friday it had stopped selling pictures of Afghanistan under instructions from the ministry of defence. SPOT Image spokeswoman Sandrine Franck-May told AFP that the move took effect on October 8. "As of that date, we were required by the defence ministry to restrict the distribution and diffusion of the region including Afghanistan," she said. In addition, "all pictures which are sold to clients must be approved by senior management and the defence ministry, and we cannot give any more pictures to the press," Franck-May said. "Our only customer for pictures of Afghanistan is the French defence ministry, and this includes all of SPOT's subsidiaries," including the US unit SICORP in Washington, she said. For further details read:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spysat-01c.html
Red Hen Systems' MapCalc Professional supports GIS modelling and spatial analysis
Red Hen Systems has released MapCalc Professional, the much-anticipated spatial analysis tool for GIS professionals. MapCalc Professional follows the recent release of MapCalc educational products, adding seamless integration with MapInfo Professional(TM) and MapInfo(TM) vector and grid data structures. Also included are extensive import/export capabilities for common data exchange formats, including MapInfo tables and MIG, ESRI shapefiles and GRIDASCII, and Surfer ASCII. MapCalc Professional continues Red Hen Systems' line of robust, leading-edge map analysis and display products. This latest grid-based spatial analysis package offers an unlimited grid size and the ability to use source data in any projection or datum. MapCalc Professional also includes tools for using image data in spatial analysis through image registration and transformation processes. When using GeoTIFF images, the image registration step is fully automated. The Professional version offers unlimited grid size plus rich map display features, including the capability to drape a map over a 3D surface, and comprehensive grid-based analysis functions, yet the Windows software remains simple to use.
Visit:
http://www.redhensystems.com/
OSS Solution offers service providers an integrated display of network fault and performance
Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced the latest release of its NETeXPERT-based OSS (operations support systems) service assurance solution. The latest release offers an integrated display of network fault and performance, which allows service providers to quickly determine and resolve degradations in hybrid wireline, wireless and IP networks. This unified display uses advanced visual interfaces that combine graphical and GIS (geographical information system) displays to provide a complete, real-time picture of network and service health, which is key to increasing network availability, improving customer satisfaction, reducing customer turnover (churn) and protecting revenues. The latest improvements can increase the solution's overall performance by up to 300 percent over the previous release.
Visit:
http://www.agilent.com/.
KVH Named Exclusive U.S. Reseller of Bell ExpressVu Mobile High-speed Internet
KVH Industries has announced that Bell ExpressVu of Canada has KVH named the exclusive value-added reseller for mobile high-speed Internet service to U.S. customers. The new mobile DirecPC(R) service will be broadcast using Bell ExpressVu's high-powered Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) satellite. The DirecPC signal will be accessible using any of KVH's 18- and 24-inch DVB-compatible TracVision(R) satellite antennas mounted on boats and vehicles anywhere within the continental United States and as far as 100 miles off the coast. As the exclusive mobile reseller, KVH is the only company licensed to promote the high-powered DirecPC service, accept subscriptions, and activate accounts for mobile customers in the United States.
Visit:
http://ir.ccbn.com/ir.zhtml?t=KVHI&s=400
Discover GIS Day 2001- Celebrate Your World
On Wednesday, November 14, discover GIS Day 2001, a global event that celebrates geographic information system (GIS) technology, which is revolutionizing our world through geography. GIS Day serves to make people aware of mapping technology and the vital contributions it is making in the fields of science, technology, information, and the humanities. It is a day for GIS enthusiasts to show individuals and organizations how to apply geographic information in their own communities, businesses, and environments and experience the amazing benefits of GIS technology. Last year's GIS Day was widely successful. Nearly 81countries sponsored GIS Day events, and 20 United States governors, as well as public officials in 18 cities and counties, made GIS Day proclamations for their jurisdictions. This year GIS Day is part of the National Geographic Society's new initiative, Geography Action 2001, a yearlong program encompassing key educational achievements such as GIS Day and Geography Awareness Week. Each year this initiative will have a different focus; this year's focus is geography and the health of our nation's rivers. Users of GIS technology are invited to be a part of this worldwide educational mission and register to host an event. Participating organizations will receive support in promoting their event to local schools, newspapers, and other organizations. For event registration, support, and ideas, or to find a GIS Day 2001 event near you, log on to
www.gisday.com
Asia News
India launches 1 meter resolutionspy satellite
THE ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C3, today successfully launched three satellites into orbit. Apart from the Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) of the Indian Space Research Organisation, the launch vehicle also placed into orbit the BIRD satellite of Germany and the PROBA satellite of Belgium.
This is the second time that the PSLV launched three satellites simultaneously; in the previous launch in May 1999, the PSLV launched India's IRS-P4 along with German DLR and Korean KITSAT-3, according to an ISRO press release.
Addressing a press conference here in the evening, the ISRO Chairman, Dr K. Kasturirangan, said this was the first time ISRO was launching satellites in multi-orbits. While the TES and BIRD were placed in a 568 km sun-synchronous orbit, the PROBA was placed in 568 x 638 km elliptical orbit. The ISRO was able to achieve more precision than was specified.
He said that for the first time, ISRO had injected a satellite with advanced technology for earth imaging. The TES also had an advanced camera for remote-sensing. The satellite was capable of a one-metre resolution, while the earlier satellites could provide a five-metre resolution. He was also happy with the multi-orbit launch achievement as it called for re-manouevring of the launch vehicle.
To repeated questions on whether the TES could be used for defence applications, Dr Kasturirangan said it could be used for various purposes. Since the satellite had a one-metre resolution for earth observation, it was among the best and it had a wide range of utility. Hence, its usage was left to one's imagination.
Source:
Business Line
More links from various newspapers:
Hindustan Times
Business Line
The Hindu
Pioneer
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1613000/1613155.stm,
http://www.spaceandtech.com/digest/flash2001/flash2001-093.shtml
National Spatial Plan To Coordinate Urban And Rural Development
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- A national spatial plan is being drawn up by the Town and Country Planning Department to coordinate urban and rural development to protect the environment for the benefit of the future generation, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Sunday.
He said that the plan, when finalised in August next year, would prevent duplication of deevlopment by local governments especially in states in the peninsula.
"This time, there will be a comprehensive structural plan and each state cannot implement development independently," he told reporters after closing his ministry's sports carnival 2001 at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium here.
He said that at present, every state has its own development plan and lack of coordination had created problems in terms of implementation.
When the national plan was implemented, he said, it would prevent indiscriminate develooment that would affect the preservation of the environment and this would not benefit the future generation.
Source:
BERNAMA
