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Friday, 09 May 2008
As the death toll in Burma grows following Cyclone Nargis, so the continuing devastation and flooding caused is recorded by UK-based satellite imaging company DMCii Ltd.
Satellite images are being used by the United Nation's UNOSAT to detect floodwater and to estimate the likely impact on villages and townships. The images taken from space are compared with those recorded prior to the cyclone in order to predict the spread of post-disaster floodwaters.
Images taken of Myanmar, using UK-DMC's 32 m resolution camera, show the disaster area in unprecedented detail. DMC imagery acquired of the region is supplied to project managers of the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" to be processed into information products that determine flood extents. DMCii has also supplied pre-disaster archive imagery to enable comparisons with post-disaster imagery for the production of emergency maps.
Once the Burmese government allow UN planes carrying vital food supplies to land, UNOSAT will be able to use the satellite images to help direct both emergency services and aid to those areas most seriously affected.
DMICii is an SSTL company, based in Guildford UK which co-ordinates the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The DMC currently operates four satellites owned by a consortium comprising CNTS Algeria (AlSAT-1), NSRDA Nigeria (NigeriaSat-1), BLMIT PR China (Beijing-1) and BNSC (UK-DMC). Two more SSTL-built satellites will be launched into the DMC later this year - Deimos-1 for Spanish customer Deimos Space and UK-DMC-2 funded by SSTL. SSTL are currently building a further two DMC satellites for Nigeria, which will be launched in 2009.
DMC International Imaging Ltd. (DMCii) is a UK supplier of remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMC data is now used in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.
In partnership with the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and the other DMC member nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey) DMCii uses the commercial exploitation of the DMC small satellite constellation to fund co-ordination of the DMC for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters. DMCii works with the UN, the European Space Agency and The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters during disasters such as Tsunami, Fire, Flooding and Hurricanes.
DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the DMC with the support of the BNSC and in conjunction with the DMC Member nations Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey and the UK. www.dmcii.com
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) develops innovative technologies to change the economics of space, delivering cost effective satellite missions within rapid timescales. The Company is a world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of high performance small satellites with experience gained over more than 25 years and 27 missions launched.
SSTL employs 270 staff working on LEO, GEO and interplanetary missions, turnkey satellite platforms and space-proven satellite subsystems and optical systems. The Company also provides know-how transfer and training programmes and consultancy services, and performs studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers related to platform design, mission analysis and planning.
Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by the University of Surrey (85%), SSTL staff (5%), and SpaceX of the USA (10%). www.sstl.co.uk
Notes to editor: High resolutions images are available upon request from Stephen Ballard (details below). These can be previewed in the printable pdf version of this press release, that can be downloaded from the SSTL online press room : http://www.ballard.co.uk/sstl/
Picture caption: UK-DMC satellite image of Burma (Myanmar) showing the Rangoon (Yangon) area and southern coastal regions.
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