Global geoinformation techno-logies and first of all Earth remote sensing from space, satellite-based navigation and Internet geoportals have certainly considerably changed and keep on changing our lives. A certain turnaround in the minds of people deserves mentioning: in the new world of open data it is easier to feel comfort and to actually become not only the user, but the creator of more intuitive, more intelligent and open reality! However, not everyone likes such a transparency and availability of data. There are still attempts registered to speculate on common phobias — national and personal security. How deeply Russia and its citizens will be involved in the new information space developments depends on how the society and the authorities will be capable of recognizing the new and making thoughtful decisions. Hopefully, the issue here, dedicated to open data, will allow us to make a step in the right direction.
Vladimir Gershenzon,
Editor-in-Chief,
President and CEO of ScanEx RDC
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Cover story
Open Remote Sensing Data — An Engine for Progress in Geoinformatics.М. Dubinin
Availability of the majority of the remote sensing data is the reason for good and scientific and technological development of geoinformatics in general. The article reviews the definition of the remote sensing data, their brief history and some parameters of them being in demand.
Open Source Project as a Possible Business Strategy.М. Potanin
FOSS4G is a conference dedicated to open source technologies and web-mapping. It took place at Denver on September 12–16, 2011. Open source community created an ecosystem of products in GIS. For all types of commercial (closed) products there are competitive in quality and popularity free-of-charge (open) products.
Open Data in Russia.I. Begtin
Enforcement of state’s presence on the Internet could follow various ways, but the primary way is the departure from the rule “no extra information” towards constant and steady intensification of information influence. Involvement of society and business in reuse of government information increments the level of citizens’ confidence in activities of government agencies, supports civil initiatives and helps existing Internet companies and first-time entrepreneurs to improve performance.
Role of Open Earth Remote Sensing Data in OpenStreetMap.I. Zverev
OpenStreetMap — is the only map, which could be downloaded virtually on any device, and the primary source of geodata for organizations that want to save money on mapping. One of the main issues believed to be with OSM maps is accuracy of data. Application of satellite imagery materials for mapping is growing. Virtually everything undergoes verification in OSM: from correctness of nodes and attributes placement to constituents of administrative boundaries, settlements and associated streets.
Open OGC Standards for Geodata Network Distribution.N. Mav
This article reviews standards, developed by the Consortium of Open Geospatial Technologies (OGC) for exchange of geo-information in local networks and Internet between GIS of different producers. Solutions of WFS and WMS services and gaining popularity WCS and WPS services are illustrated here.
Availability of Forest Information in Russia: Current Status and the Outlook.М. Karpachevsky
State Russian policy applicable to access to forest information totally contradicts world trends, does not take into account new alternative tools of getting forest condition assessments and prevents improvement of forest resources and forest management quality assessment methods. For the past decades several new revolutionary technology innovations appeared in this industry. To date, the problem is the lack of up-to-date maps of the forest resources condition, of public web-services and so on.
On Remote Monitoring of Natural Fires in the Russian Federation.А. Yaroshenko
Presently different governmental authorities and organizations operating in Russia employ various systems for remote monitoring of natural fires. There are three prime systems: FIRMS, SFMS and ISDM-RosLesKhoz. As monitoring facilities develop new information products will continue to appear to allow society and interested parties receiving more information on fires. At the same time official fire reporting will more likely become less reliable and farther from reality.
Multipurpose Use of Space Images for Fires Monitoring.А. Yepikhin, А. Nikitsky, N. Mitkinykh, А. Kucheiko
During spring-summer period of 2011 a complex of projects was accomplished on satellite imagery of natural and human-induced fires in behalf of the EMERCOM of Russia. Space images were used for control of fire situation on the territory of the Russian Federation and adjacent countries. A pilot project on detection of low intensity fire blazes was carried out and real-time imagery of the burnt areas and explosions at military ammunition storage houses was performed.
“Prirazlomnaya” Oil Platform: Satellite Monitoring of the Transportation and Installation Area.А. Kucheiko, А. Ivanov, N. Filimonova, А. Antonyuk
Satellite-based monitoring of the area of transportation and installation of the “Prirazlomnaya” platform (OAO “Gazprom”) on the oil field in Pechora Sea was conducted from August 17 until September 1, 2011. Monitoring results illustrate that monitoring from space, including radar imagery, may be successfully applied in support of oil and gas production in Russia on the Arctic shelves, whereas real-time monitoring and polar latitudes control can be carried out only using space imaging. It is quite obvious that a program of satellite-based monitoring of hydrocarbons production and transportation sites in Barents Sea need to be developed.
Government EO Data Sources to Soar.A. Keith
Between 2011 and 2020, nearly 300 Earth observation satellites are expected to be launched. With continued growth driven by growing global defense requirements and an emerging enterprise sector, data sales are forecast to approach $4 billion by 2020. EO is viewed as the first application for emerging space programs.
Europe: Realising the Necessity to Recognise Remote Sensing Data as the Common Good.C. Doldyrina
The article discusses the extent to which Europe, mainly by virtue of the analysis of the European Union regulatory documents, recognises and treats remote sensing data as a common good. While establishing that the recognition has taken place, the assessment of the regulatory progress so far shows that more extended coordination measures as well as prioitising activities should be carried out in order to fully establish and effectively enforce the principle of full and open access to remote sensing data that adequately reflects the nature of remote sensing data as a common good.
Trends
Trends and Problems of Small-Size Remote Sensing Satellites.I. Afanasiyev
Characteristics of small-size space vehicles (up to 1000 kg) have been permanently improving and in some cases can be compared to possibilities of “full-size” satellites: spatial resolution, data rates and onboard storage volumes are increasing. Such trends in development of space segment technology are supplemented with growth of a network of inexpensive ground stations with small-size antenna systems, which is connected with quick and economically efficient method of data distribution and cost-effective product quality control and assurance procedures. One of the motives for emergence of small-size space vehicles in Russia was the striving to reduce scientific and applied missions costs under conditions of chronic underfunding.
Why Does Russia Need a National Satellite System for Fire Monitoring?M. Dorofeeva, N. Pupysheva
Materials of satellite monitoring are increasingly applied to monitoring and control of fires. Representatives of the National Center for Crisis Management of the Emercom of Russia, Federal State Institution AviaLesoOkhrana and ScanEx RDC speak about the experience of using space technologies, interdepartmental interaction, as well as the need to establish a national satellite system for fire monitoring.
Geoportal Technologies in the Work of the Moscow State University.M. Zimin, D. Botavin
MSU’s geoportal was put into operation in 2011. It represents a geoinformation complex, including hardware and software components, as well as databases of space images and maps. An innovation system of access to spatial data with regularly updated information from RS satellites has been formed at the Moscow State University.
New Capabilities of Geoportal Technologies: 3D Mapping Services.I. Farutin
A geoportal is a mapping service designed for visualization of geospatial data and provision of remote access to it through a standard web-browser. The purpose of the “Planet ScanEx” solution is to build 3D mapping services and enable visualization of basic types of mosaic mapping coverage (maps, satellite images, terrain data) and that of user geospatial information on a 3D Earth model.
Training Courses of ScanEx RDC on Remote Sensing Data Handling.О. Mescheryakov
For over five years in a row ScanEx specialists provide training on remote sensing data handling. Programs of five special training courses have been worked out and being implemented, covering basic stages of space images processing. One of the purposes of the company’s training projects development is the possibility to create a network of training centers based on Russian educational institutions, universities and other organizations.
Legal Relations
Problems in Building Russian Legal Framework for Earth Remote Sensing from Space.I. Moiseev
Problems in building Russian legal framework for Earth remote sensing from space become increasingly pressing. The existing regulation fails to satisfy up-to-date requirements and slows down innovative development in this area. The analysis of current departmental lawmaking demonstrates that its practical implementation would make the situation all the worse. In the meantime competent approach to lawmaking process can provide favorable conditions for developing Earth remotes sensing activities in Russia.
The Role of a Trade Association in EO Services Market Development.G. Sawyer
Governmental agencies and public organizations, using space imagery data in their activities, play an important role in the Earth remote sensing industry. Creation of new business opportunities for member companies is one of the top priorities of the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies.
The “Earth from Space” Association: the Professional Community as a Vehicle for National ERS Industry.Е. Аsh
In the course of development the domestic market of the Earth remote sensing encounters obstacles of different nature. In 2010 the key participants of the Russian ERS market founded the Association of Space Imagery Suppliers and Users “Earth from Space”. The goal of the Association is to contribute to the development of technologies for receiving, processing, disseminating and using materials of imagery of Earth from space by taking part in implementation of legal and structural reforms in the area of ERS.
