After having successfully completed the required pre-launch tests, SSTL’s UK-DMC2 satellite will be fully launched on July 29, 2009 at 18:46 UTC. It now sits on a Dnepr vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, waiting for the final seconds into launch.
The UK-DMC2 has had a number of modifications and improvements over the earlier versions of the spacecraft, contributing to developing evolutionary design approach of the SSTL. The satellite is also reportedly being used as test bed for other technologies while supporting a BNSC-sponsored school science experiment called POISE.
To be operated by DMCii, a subsidiary company, the new satellite will provide an enhanced imaging capability and operational services to the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The UK-DMC2 carries much higher resolution optical payload that will render 22m ground sample distance (GSD) images. This imagery has twice the data intensity of the 32m GSD of which four are currently operating satellites in the constellation. The major difference is the 22m imagery has no recorded loss of signal to noise ratio and can maintain the ultra-wide 600+ km swath, making the satellite have much lesser “dead time”.
UK-DMC2 also carries two high-speed X-band transmitters that will operate at 20Mbps or 80Mbps which will enable the satellite to download images ten times faster than the older spacecraft version. From the storage capacity of only 1 to 1.5 Gbytes, the UK-DMC2can store as much as 12 Gbyte. These two major advancements of higher power generation and bigger storage systems will have Europe and other countries rapidly mapped by the UK-DMC2.
It is reported that the UK-DMC2 satellite will be launched into a sun-synchronous orbit alongside Deimos-1, another DMC satellite built by SSTL for Spanish company Deimos Space. In this event, the number of functional DMC satellites in space just reached six.
For related articles and information, click on. spacemart.com
More details could also be found at ballard.co.uk
While India could launch its satellite navigation system in less than two years, the Peoples Republic of China sees itself owning and operating one in the year 2015. In such event, China will materialize the plan to complete its system called COMPASS satellite which will then be independent of foreign technology. For many years now, China has remained relying on the US-developed Global Positioning System, such that completing their own project could mean severing their ties to the US in terms of needing the GPS services.
More and more GPS users wake up and find their car window smashed. Housewives doing groceries or couples out for a weekend movie get back to their vehicle and find themselves in panic. Teenagers having enough of the mall trip get back to their cars and start calling their parents. They all have one experience in common – they find the GPS satellite navigation devices stolen from their vehicles.
The United States government stated warnings that the satellite navigation systems could start going down next year, an issue which caused alarm to many motorists and other civilians whose daily drives are dependent on the technology.
What could be more alarming than seeing over 35,000 drop of the Puffins’ numbers in just five years! Now with the latest satellite navigation technology, these birds from the Isle of May and Farne Islands off the Northumberland Coast can now render information regarding their decrease.
The end of June 2009 brought good news to all vehicle rental customers all over Europe who wishes to be aided with the best navigation tool. An upgrade of Hertz’s satellite navigation was released in its new version in the form of Hertz Neverlost Version 3 which features all 39 languages in the continent.
Now 30% smaller and much lighter than the original unit at 5.2 ounce, SPOT LLC introduced its Satellite GPS messenger and everyone rushed to get the handy device. Already, 120,000 units have been sold in March this year, just a few weeks after the SPOT gadget was launched.
For many years, portable navigation devices have been most used for its efficiency and practicality. These stand-alone devices render maps, turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, among other advanced features. Users are thankful for the GPS in their automobiles for they have rendered driving in familiar and new locations a breeze.
Satnavs aren’t limited alone to guiding motorists through roads and streets. The Orthopilot is a testament that makers of the devices are pursuing satnavs practicability in medicine and human health concerns, particularly to surgeons who perform knee replacements. In UK alone, close to 60,000 people need knee replacement each year.
Britain has invaded the United States! Or at least a part of the US, that is. With British firm Lok8u now in Vegas – and it’s not at the roulette tables or the slot machines. Lok8u is now in Vegas to forward their newest addition of a GPS tracking device.