Director of National Intelligence, Jim Clapper, while speaking at the USGIF's GEOINT conference this past October, had some blunt words on the upcoming "fiscal cliff" and did not disguise his displeasure with the press on the incident in Benghazi, Libya. Read the article; watch the video.
Satellite earth observation is appropriate to provide repetitive data at spatial and temporal scales necessary for detection and monitoring of wildfires. Unfortunately, the relative coarse spatial resolution of these data sets is insufficient to accurately locate individual fire fronts and to assess their strength. This article explores how small satellites with better spatial resolution and spectral bands in the thermal and near IR region to support better fire front identification.
3. WorldDEM - Reaching New Heights
The German radar satellite, TanDEM-X, is in the process of generating a global Digital Elevation Model - WorldDEM - of unprecedented quality, accuracy and coverage. In this article, William Van Rensalier Parker, associate at PACE Government Services, explains how this sensor, in conjunction with the TerraSAR-X satellite, will provide a seamless world height model.
4. Applying Geoinformation to Disaster and Risk Management: Impact and Benefits
When natural disasters strike, geospatial information technology can effectively support relief efforts. However, the impacts of these events could be minimized and considerable losses of life and property could be avoided with improved risk assessment, early warning and disaster monitoring. This article by a team of United Nations and university scholars provides a methodology for best practices.
5. GEOINT: Predictions for Growth, with an Asterisk
Was the increase in attendance at the GEOINT Symposium an indication of an expanding market for geospatial technology in the intelligence community or was it many vendors chasing declining dollars? This report from Editor in Chief Joe Francica summarizes comments and opinions from some of those in the know