NASA and The Aerospace Corp. received confirmation that the Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration (OCSD) CubeSat spacecraft is in orbit and operational, but it currently is experiencing a problem with its attitude control system.
UAE Space Agency Commits to Earth Observation
At the Second Eye on Earth Summit, which was held Oct. 6-8, 2015, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UAE Space Agency highlighted the importance of satellite and space technology for environmental-monitoring purposes.
Satellite Data Spur NOAA to Declare Global Coral-Bleaching Event
As record ocean temperatures cause widespread coral bleaching across Hawaii, NOAA scientists confirm the same stressful conditions are expanding to the Caribbean and may last into 2016, prompting the declaration of the third global coral-bleaching event ever on record.
Satellite Captures Earthquake Displacement in Chile
On Sept. 16, 2015, an 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of central Chile, triggering tsunami warnings and coastal evacuations. Lasting three minutes, the powerful earthquake occurred along the boundary of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates.
African Satellite Constellation Expecting New Addition
Image-sensor developer Teledyne Dalsa is partnering with South Africa-based Denel Spaceteq, a high-performance satellite systems and solutions provider to the African and international aerospace market, to develop a new multispectral image sensor for advanced Earth observations.
Remote Sensing Helps Map Tool-Wielding Monkeys
Scientists eager to study the bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) of northeastern Brazil”especially interesting because they use stone tools to crack open the hard casings of palm nuts to eat the meat inside”are concerned the monkeys will lose critical habitat as industrial agriculture is rapidly expanding and intensifying in the region.
MDA Adds Maritime Imaging Modes for RADARSAT-2
MDA's Information Systems group introduced two new RADARSAT-2 imaging modes for commercial use. The modes are designed specifically for maritime monitoring and are expected to enhance RADARSAT-2 capabilities.
Italy Hosts Space App Camp
Twenty-three developers from nine countries gathered in late September 2015 at the European Space Agency (ESA) ESRIN centre in Italy for the fourth annual Space App Camp and competition.
Sentinel Satellite Captures Azore Islands' Beauty
This Sentinel-1A radar image features some of the Azore islands about 1,600 kilometers west of Lisbon, including the turtle-shaped Faial, the dagger-like Sao Jorge and Pico Island, with Mount Pico reaching more than 2,351 meters in height.
Remote Sensing Helps Observe Drought in California
California is in its fourth consecutive year of drought, which impacts water in the state in many ways. The main sources of consumable and agricultural water for California are underground aquifers, reservoirs and mountain snowpacks, but in recent years the volume of water in these sources has been decreasing.
