- August 26, 2005
- Posted by: EARSC
- Category: Members News
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Munich, August 26, 2005 –
Following
the devastating forest fires in Portugal there is a strong need for
high-resolution imagery to assess the whole extent of the damages and
to coordinate further aid efforts in the affected areas.
the devastating forest fires in Portugal there is a strong need for
high-resolution imagery to assess the whole extent of the damages and
to coordinate further aid efforts in the affected areas.
European Space Imaging acquired
high-resolution IKONOS satellite imagery of Central Portugal on
Wednesday, 24th August 2005. The imagery was promptly produced and
forwarded to the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) in
the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Thus the ZKI was able to deliver
first evaluation maps to Portuguese authorities and national and
international aid organizations on the day of image collection.
high-resolution IKONOS satellite imagery of Central Portugal on
Wednesday, 24th August 2005. The imagery was promptly produced and
forwarded to the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) in
the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Thus the ZKI was able to deliver
first evaluation maps to Portuguese authorities and national and
international aid organizations on the day of image collection.
The IKONOS imagery allows for objects as
large as 80 centimeters to be clearly distinguished and gives a very
detailed overview of the degree of damage in the areas ravaged by the
forest fires.
large as 80 centimeters to be clearly distinguished and gives a very
detailed overview of the degree of damage in the areas ravaged by the
forest fires.
The images show that not only large areas
of forests ?± approximately 140.000 hectares have already been destroyed
this year – and agricultural land have been affected, but also many
towns and villages. The blazes have been worst in North and Central
Portugal.
of forests ?± approximately 140.000 hectares have already been destroyed
this year – and agricultural land have been affected, but also many
towns and villages. The blazes have been worst in North and Central
Portugal.
The downloadable image subset (?Æ’Ëš EUROPEAN SPACE IMAGING)
shows Coimbra the third largest city of Portugal. Coimbra ?± a historic
university city ?± was severely threatened by the fires that had already
reached the city borders.
shows Coimbra the third largest city of Portugal. Coimbra ?± a historic
university city ?± was severely threatened by the fires that had already
reached the city borders.
Since yesterday Thursday, 25 August 2005,
there are no more significant new fire sources, but the information
extraction of satellite imagery will be continued at DLR in support of
the Portuguese Government.
there are no more significant new fire sources, but the information
extraction of satellite imagery will be continued at DLR in support of
the Portuguese Government.
The close collaboration between European
Space Imaging and DLR enables a fast mapping and analysis of the
impacts of such a natural disaster using high-resolution satellite
imagery and strongly supported a fast reaction in all kinds of crisis
situations.
Space Imaging and DLR enables a fast mapping and analysis of the
impacts of such a natural disaster using high-resolution satellite
imagery and strongly supported a fast reaction in all kinds of crisis
situations.
Further evaluation maps can be found on the website of ZKI and of the International Charter ?®Space and Major Disasters?∆.
About European Space Imaging:
European Space Imaging is the pre-eminent supplier of high quality,
high-resolution, global IKONOS satellite imagery and derived
information products to customers in Europe. European Space Imaging is
headquartered in Munich, Germany, and is a commercial Regional
Affiliate of Space Imaging Inc. from Colorado, USA. European Space
Imaging’s imagery product line is derived from IKONOS, the world’s
first commercial high-resolution imaging satellite.
high-resolution, global IKONOS satellite imagery and derived
information products to customers in Europe. European Space Imaging is
headquartered in Munich, Germany, and is a commercial Regional
Affiliate of Space Imaging Inc. from Colorado, USA. European Space
Imaging’s imagery product line is derived from IKONOS, the world’s
first commercial high-resolution imaging satellite.
Point of contact for media:
European Space Imaging GmbH
Nadine Paraton
Marketing Manager
Phone: +49 ?± (0) 89 13 014 2-55
Fax: +49 ?± (0) 89 13 014 2-22
Email: nparaton@euspaceimaging.com
About Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI):
The “Center for Satellite Based Crisis
Information” (ZKI) is a service of DLR’s German Remote Sensing Data
Center (DFD). Its function is the rapid acquisition, processing and
analysis of satellite data and the provision of satellite-based
information products on natural and environmental disasters, for
humanitarian relief activities, as well as in the context of civil
security.
Information” (ZKI) is a service of DLR’s German Remote Sensing Data
Center (DFD). Its function is the rapid acquisition, processing and
analysis of satellite data and the provision of satellite-based
information products on natural and environmental disasters, for
humanitarian relief activities, as well as in the context of civil
security.
(Credits European Space Imaging)
