Considering the fact that in a large part the success of GMES and GEOSS hinges on a proper and efficient role of industry, it is high time for industry to get together to evaluate the present situation, to make an overall assessment of GMES/GEOSS opportunities in terms of socio-economic and industrial terms as well as to study an action plan which would allow industry to play a role in insuring the success of these initiatives.

Proposals for the European Union??s Seventh Framework space and security research programme will emerge from the soon-to-be-completed ?Ñ2.94 million ($3.5 million) European Advanced Space Technology to Support Security Operations (ASTRO+) study. A roadmap of proposals is expected to cover technologies for navigation, Earth imaging, data dissemination and broadband communications. (Credits Flight International)

Draft Recommendations

On 21 and 22 March, the Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) will be holding its 18th meeting at ESA??s ESRIN in Frascati.(Credits ESA)

On 20 March 2006, in front of an audience attending a European Parliament Joint Public Hearing on ?¨Natural Disasters ?± How should Europe respond??Æ, Jacqueline McGlade, the Executive Director of the European Environmental Agency called for a comprehensive, integrated and sustained infrastructure for observation and early warning to apprehend natural disasters. She also warned on

The European Commission is to boost resources devoted the development of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative. In a decision taken on 8 March 2006, the Commission has established a new focal point for its GMES-related activities. (Credits Europa)

eoVox is an opportunity for all companies to voice their viewpoint on the future of the European and Canadian EO service industry. (Credits eoVox)

Corporate Sustainable Development (CSD) - also referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility - is now at the heart of business practices. (Credits ESA)

Background ** The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently concluded an in-depth survey of the European and Canadian EO service industry. Some 75 small Value-Adding Companies (VACs) participated in the survey to produce the most detailed picture to date on the state and health of this industry sector. One of the results that emerge is

In the year 2001, ships consumed 280 million metric tonnes [310 million
short tons] of fuel, compared to only 64.5 million tonnes [71.1 million
short tons] in 1950. (Credits at eurekalert)

ALOS, Japan's latest Earth Observation satellite, was successfully
launched at 02:33 CET (10:33 Japan time) on 24 January. Environmental
data and imagery from ALOS will be provided to European and African
users through a cooperative agreement between ESA and the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). (Credits ESA)

The joint European Union/European Space Agency space programme will not
be agreed until 2007 ?± more than a year later than planned. (Credits Flight International)

The EU has published a Call for Proposals within the IST Priority of
FP6, related to Tsunami Early Warning Systems (TEWS). (Credits Cordis)

Interview with Mr. Marco Malacarne- Head of Unit for Space research and applications at European Commission

PARIS ?? British defense and space technology company QinetiQ Group plc
expects to raise 150 million British pounds ($265 million) in gross
proceeds following a planned February introduction of shares on the
London Stock Exchange, the company announced Jan. 12. (P. de Selding, Space News)