ASRC distributes ResourceSat-1 and CartoSat-1 data

28 January 2008, 8:32am

Washington, DC, 28 January 2008 -- Under the terms of a three-year agreement with ANTRIX Corporation Ltd. and EOTec, ASRC Management Services (MS) will have the exclusive distribution rights in the U.S. to distribute satellite imagery collected by the Resourcesat-1 and Cartosat-1 satellites. ASRC MS will also become the sole ground station partner for ANTRIX in the U.S. to receive data collected over the U.S. in near real-time. The new agreement marks the expansion of a successful 3-year cooperative relationship which started in 2004 when ASRC MS began supporting the use and integration of imagery from Resourcesat-1 within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Global Analysis, Foreign Agricultural Services, the International Production Assessment Division.

The Indian constellation of Earth Observation satellites is marketed through ANTRIX Corporation Ltd., the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Earth Observation Technologies LLC (EOTec) is the managing agent for ANTRIX Corporation Ltd.

Resourcesat-1 (IRS-P6) was successfully launched on October 17, 2003 with a planned mission life of five to seven years. The satellite carries three multi-spectral cameras similar to those of earlier IRS satellites but with vastly improved spatial resolutions. The Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS-IV) camera collects high resolution imagery in three spectral bands in the visible and Near Infrared Region (VNIR) with 5.8
metre spatial resolution. The LISS-III sensor collects medium resolution data in three spectral bands in VNIR and one in Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) band with 23.5 metre spatial
resolution. The AWiFS sensor, which was primarily designed for agricultural applications and earth resources management, provides broad area and 5 day repeat coverage with three spectral bands in VNIR and one band in SWIR with 56 metre spatial resolution.

Cartosat-1 (IRS-P5) was successfully launched into a sun synchronous orbit on May 5, 2005 by India's PSLV-C6 rocket and has a planned mission life of five to seven years. Cartosat-1 continues the long heritage of IRS remote
sensing satellites with enhanced data quality delivered by two panchromatic (black and white) cameras for 2.5 meter resolution stereo viewing of wide swath acquisitions (~54 km swath). Cartosat-1 and Resourcesat-1 data are
acquired by a world-wide network of ground receiving stations.

Tim Lewis, President of ASRC MS stated, "We are delighted to enter into this relationship with ANTRIX Corporation Ltd. and EOTec for the exclusive US data distribution rights for ResourceSat-1 and Cartosat-1 data. Based on
our successful operational Resourceaat-1 program with the USDA FAS and the geospatial business interests of ASRC MS this is perfect addition to our program capabilities and product portfolio."

Global Marketing Insights, Inc. has been retained by ASRC MS to provide their sales and marketing services for this contract. Tim Lewis, President, ASRC MS continued, "Based on our successful history with Global Marketing in
many of our Remote Sensing and geospatial programs at ASRC MS and based upon Global Marketing Insights, Inc. long sales and marketing history with ANTRIX Corporation Ltd. and EOTec, it is a natural fit to add them as part of our team."

The Resourcesat-1 and Cartosat-1 data combines the full component of spectral bands, global coverage, and short repeat cycles at the lowest cost.

www.asrcms.com

Geo: International