[SatNews] Spot Image Corporation, part of Astrium Services' GEO-Information division, has been selected to provide satellite imagery for the first Alaska statewide mapping program in more than 25 years.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded the $3.45 million Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) contract to Aero-Metric, Inc. of Anchorage, who will use SPOT imagery to complete this project. Awarded following a competitive proposal process, the SDMI contract calls for the collection of 2.5-meter resolution, SPOT-5 imagery of the entire 1.7 million-square-kilometer state over the next four years. The SPOT-5 satellite will acquire panchromatic and multispectral imagery for the project. During processing, the two data sets will be integrated to generate pseudo-natural color, color infrared, and panchromatic ortho-image map products.

The new statewide ortho-images are expected to serve as the basemap layer in projects ranging from transportation corridor selection and coastal zone management to timber harvesting and natural resource lease delineation. The base topographic maps still in common use in Alaska were created more than 50 years ago by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The last statewide imagery collection was performed by NASA using high altitude reconnaissance aircraft from 1978-1986 under a multi-agency program led by the USGS. Aero-Metric, which will perform all project management functions under the contract, is responsible for obtaining digital elevation models and ground control of sufficient quality to ortho-rectify the satellite imagery to meet 1:24,000-scale National Map Accuracy Standards. Fugro EarthData will process, ortho-rectify, and mosaic the SPOT imagery into final deliverables for the state. The ortho-rectified imagery products will be distributed at no charge using open data standards via the SDMI's Alaska Mapped website (www.alaskamapped.org). A cooperative partnership involving the University of Alaska, DNR, and four additional state departments, SDMI closely supports federal, state, local and tribal projects requiring map products.

Taking full advantage of the fully-integrated combined resources and skills of its Spot Image and Infoterra subsidiaries, the GEO-Information division of Astrium Services has become a recognized world leader in the geo-information market by offering decision-makers sustainable one-stop-shop solutions to increase security, protect the environment, and better manage natural resources. It has exclusive access to SPOT and TerraSAR-X satellite data, while also calling on a full gamut of space data sources and airborne acquisition capabilities, enabling it to offer an unrivalled combination of Earth observation products and services. Its portfolio spans the entire geo-information value chain. By building on the synergy of Astrium Services, the GEO-Information division can also develop innovative solutions combining Earth observation, navigation and communication applications at competitive prices.