First commercial terminal for FORMOSAT-2 data

02 September 2009, 7:41pm

2009-09-02 The world’s first commercial terminal for detail space data delivered by FORMOSAT-2 reception and processing was installed by the Russian company — Research & Development Center “ScanEx”.

Since 2008 “ScanEx” RDC has received data delivered by FORMOSAT-2 satellite, launched on 21 May 2004 by the National Space Organization (NSPO) of Taiwan, to the Center’s proprietary network of receiving complexes “UniScan” in Moscow, Irkutsk, Magadan and, from the beginning of June, in Megion.

In summer 2009 the EADS and Spot Image (the satellite operator) specialists completed installation of the terminal for FORMOSAT-2 images processing in “ScanEx” receiving center in Moscow and tested it successfully.

At present, the terminals for FORMOSAT-2 data receiving and processing are also installed at NSPO facilities in Tapei, Taiwan and on base of satellite data receiving and processing station in Kiruna (Sweden). Acquired and processed data are accessible via Spot Image and are also transferred to the centralized NSPO archive center.

FORMOSAT-2 satellite is to be used for the Earth surface digital images delivery with spatial resolution of 2 m in panchromatic mode and of 8 m in multispectral. FORMOSAT-2 features a number of unique capabilities: high maneuverability (the satellite is capable of performing imagery with 45 degrees off nadir), capability of daily imagery of a preset area at 9:30 AM local time while for most of other satellites this time corresponds to 10-11 AM. Earlier passes over a particular point on the surface of Earth increase likelihood of cloud-free imagery. Increasing number of Earth remote sensing programs involving “ScanEx” Center enlarges possibilities of satellite data use for finding solutions for day-to-day and strategic tasks in Russia.

— We would be pleased to extend effective cooperation with the specialists of EADS European Airspace Agency and Spot Image company, — said Vice-President of ScanEx RDC Olga Gershenzon. — In the nearest future we plan to begin providing interested Russian users with terminals for FORMOSAT-2 data receiving and processing, including annual subscription to space data reception.

Spot Image and ScanEx RDC set up a strong partnership for Formosat-2 data promotion in Russia for the benefits of local users. This cooperation will brings new opportunities to develop Earth Observation applications. Spot Image will be happy to attend the SCANEX conference in December this year and to present with SCANEX RDC the latest Formosat-2 products and services avalaible for the Russian actors.

— SCANEX RDC became last year the more important Formosat-2 partner worldwide. Spot Image will use its experience and knowledge to support the Formosat-2 distribition in Russia. I am convince that the specific Formosat-2 capabilities will be a key asset to support new applications and to develop operational services. Formosat-2 data will complement perfectly the existing SCANEX RDC data portofolio; for Spot Image, it already became a valuable asset — said Patrice Galey, Formosat-2 Project Manager Spot Image.

Besides its specific system features, Spot Image has developped with FORMOSAT-2 many offers and services to fit with operational applications requiring regular surveillance in areas such as defence, disarmament and proliferation control, monitoring of the early stages of a crisis and refugee camp assessment or around environment and climate change issues.

FORMOSAT-2 offers a range of complementary products and services:
— delivers time series of data for change detection;
— guarantees acquisition of a useable image before any other optical satellite system;
— is able to acquire uniform or multisource (SPOT 5 + FORMOSAT-2) coverages.

For more information contact Customer Service: formosat2@spotimage.fr.

Many users worldwide have already adopted FORMOSAT-2 imagery across a wide gamut of applications. These include:
— Monitoring commercial and military facilities;
— Agriculture such as Precision farming;
— Deforestation mapping & monitoring;
— Disaster monitoring system;
— Regional or national mapping.

More information about using satellite data, including FORMOSAT-2 images, will be available at the 4th International Conference "Earth from Space – the Most Effective Solutions". Everyone can take part in the conference. Registration of participants is already ongoing

ScanEx RD Centre Moscow

Geo: International