Weekly GEOINT Community News

USGS Releases Landsat Analysis Ready Data; ArdentMC Supports California Fire Recovery Efforts; DARPA Bets on In-Space Robotics; More

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USGS Releases Landsat Analysis Ready Data
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) released new Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD) of the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. The ARD has already been processed for direct use in monitoring and analyzing terrain change over time. This will circumvent the process of downloading and preparing Landsat scene data for high-volume analytic projects and will reduce data processing for scientists. ARD will serve as the primary dataset for the USGS Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection Initiative.

ArdentMC Supports California Fire Recovery Efforts
Ardent Management Consulting announced plans to aid fire recovery efforts in Northern California with a drone initiative to collect imagery in heavily affected areas. Drones will fly for 100 hours, gathering data including storm track visualizations, road closures, flood depth, property damage, and more to be used for damage assessments and efficient response.

DARPA Bets on In-Space Robotics
DARPA is pushing to launch a rule-making coalition for the use of high-orbit satellite repair robots. The agency maintains that the lack of clearly defined technical and safety rules is a major hindrance to the in-orbit robotics industry’s expansion, which would extend satellite life spans and save operators millions of dollars over time. The proposed Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations would bring together major players in the geosynchronous satellite industry to discuss standard operating protocol and regulations.

Enview Raises Millions for Utility Infrastructure Management
Startup Enview raised $6 million to support its deployment of analysis tools used by oil and gas companies to monitor and manage pipeline networks. The company’s software processes national public data to create detailed reports of major firms’ infrastructure assets and to determine when pipes and power lines are due for upgrades. Enview asserts that an improved understanding of transmission system breakdowns would help avoid human injury and financial damages when accidents occur.

Penn State Adds Homeland Security Concentrations 
Pennsylvania State University expanded its master’s degree program in Homeland Security to offer concentrations in counterterrorism and cyber threat analytics and prevention. Counterterrorism students will learn how to craft effective national policies to prevent and respond to acts of terror and analytic techniques to identify incoming attacks. Cyber enrollees will study data mining and web security. The program is offered exclusively online through Penn State World Campus and is currently accepting applications for the spring 2018 semester.

Boundless Celebrates GIS Day with Geography Education Events
Boundless is ramping up its support of geographic education with a number of upcoming events. In partnership with NGA, USGIF, the American Geographical Society (AGS), and Learning Plunge, Boundless is hosting the first GeoPlunge card game tournament for youth in St. Louis Nov. 15.

The same day, in honor of GIS Day, the company will run GIS workshops and present a lecture titled “Thinking Open: A Hybrid Approach to Implementing Open GIS” at universities around the country. Additionally, Boundless announced it will bring more than 50 geography teachers to Geography 2050, held Nov. 16-17 in New York City. Boundless executives will also host special panels on post-graduation career development and government transparency at the AGS Geography Teacher Fellows Workshop Nov. 18.

Peer Intel

Anthony Robbins joined NVIDIA as vice president of the company’s public sector practice. Robbins will lead NVIDIA’s federal and defense businesses in the U.S. and Canada, and oversee its higher education and research businesses. Prior to NVIDIA, Robbins served as vice president of global defense at AT&T and in various positions at Brocade, Oracle, Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics.

Photo Credit: Space Systems Loral

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