GeoEye scheduled to launch nextgeneration earth imaging satellite
GeoEye has announced August 22, 2008 as launch date for GeoEye-1. It remains at the Gilbert, Ariz. facility of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, GeoEye's prime contractor and integrator for the
satellite bus and telescope. www.geoeye.com

ISRO to set up Indian Space Science Data Centre, signs with NASA
Indian Space Research Organization is setting up the Indian Space Science Data Centre, to process, archive and disseminate data from Scientific Satellite missions. The centre will be used by scientists for investigations. Set up near Bangalore, it will be operational by end of 2008. A study has been initiated for preparing a feasibility report by the faculty of IIT in consultation with ISRO scientists for developing a small satellite (less than 100 kg weight). A Framework Agreement was also signed on Feb 1, 2008 between the ISRO and NASA for co-operation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes with an initial validity of ten years. The areas for co-operation include earth science, observation and monitoring; space science; exploration systems; space operations; and other relevant areas of mutual interest. pib.nic.in

Microsoft satellite map project sued over name
Microsoft's TerraServer-USA satellite imagery project has been slapped with a trademark lawsuit from a small North Carolina company with a similar name. The 10 year-old Microsoft research project makes satellite images and maps from the U.S. Geological Survey freely available over the Internet. In 2005 the project was rolled into Microsoft's Virtual Earth product, but Microsoft continues to maintain the TerraServer-USA. com website. www.pcworld.com

China seeks U.S. satellite data on quake
China has asked the US for satellite images of quakestricken Sichuan province to help locate victims and identify seriously damaged roads and infrastructure. The request, hand-delivered to the State Department by a Chinese embassy official seeks high-resolution imagery of the region. The National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency has already begun analyzing imagery of the earthquake's aftermath taken from U.S. spy satellites. The Bush administration has offered spy satellite images and analysis to foreign governments coping with natural disaster in recent years to help organize rescue and recovery operations. www.reuters.com


In recent Earthquake in Sichuan, China, 700 people could be saved in Cao Ping after their message “SOS700” had been discovered in imagery collected with a Leica ADS40 airborne digital sensor.