Weekly GEOINT Community News

Air Force GPS 3 Satellite Completes Critical Test

The first in the U.S. Air Force’s next generation of positioning, navigation, and timing satellites passed key testing earlier this month, reports SpaceNews. The satellite passed a thermal vacuum test, which validates that a satellite can operate in extreme temperatures comparable to the space environment. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor on the GPS III program and is under contract to build eight next-generation satellites. The first GPS III satellite is expected to launch no earlier than 2017.

ManTech Awarded $200 Million DoD Contract

ManTech International was awarded a $200 million contract by the Department of Defense to support the defense and intelligence communities’ modernization needs. ManTech will provide integration, systems engineering, sustainment, and deployment support worldwide.

Aerial Imaging Market to Reach $3.3 Billion by 2023

A recent report by Transparency Market Research titled “Aerial Imaging Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2015-2023,” valued the aerial imaging market at $1.07 billion in 2014. The report also said the market is expected to expand by 2023 to reach $3.3 billion. New applications, the popularity of existing applications, and the demand for location-based services are all contributing to this growing market segment.

Penn State to Launch Second GEOINT MOOC

Pennsylvania State University is once again offering its free “Geospatial Intelligence and the Geospatial Revolution” massive open online course (MOOC) via Coursera, beginning Feb. 3. This course is led by Dr. Todd S. Bacastow, Penn State professor of practice for geospatial intelligence, and teaches the basics of GEOINT and how it’s applied to business, law enforcement, and defense. The course will run through March 15.

Accenture & Stemettes to Host STEM Event for Girls

In an effort to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among 11 to 15-year-old girls, Accenture is teaming up with Stemettes, a social enterprise inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers. Accenture and Stemettes will host a “Girls in STEM” event for 1,800 young women on Jan. 28 in five locations throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Girls will learn coding, take part in workshops, and hear from inspirational speakers.

Peer Intel

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity named Stacey Dixon deputy director, reports FCW. Dixon previously oversaw geospatial research and development at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) as well as served as NGA’s liaison to Congress and as a staffer on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Anne Altman, general manager of IBM’s U.S. federal and government industries announced her retirement in January after nearly 30 years in the private and public sectors. Sam Gordy, integrated systems group president at Leidos, will succeed Altman. Gordy brings analytic, cybersecurity, and enterprise information systems expertise to IBM.

Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper announced the leadership of the nation’s new Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC). Tonya Ugoretz will lead the center as director, with Maurice Bland as her deputy, and Thomas Donahue directing research. The CTIIC will fuse intelligence and connect the dots regarding malicious foreign cyber threats to make federal organizations and policymakers aware of threats in near real-time.

Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin Space Systems