ISRO co-develops image processing software for satellite data
By IANSWednesday, July 29, 2009
BANGALORE - The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has partnered with Ahmedabad-based Scanpoint Geomatics Ltd to develop an integrated geographic information system and image processing software (IGiS) to analyse satellite pictures and data.
The low-cost software is an indigenous seamless geomatics application for geographical information system (GIS), image processing and its integration with the real-time information using the global positioning system (GPS).
“It is the first indigenous software which integrates satellite images with information. We have demonstrated our capability to develop IGiS in a niche area for our use, which is the need of the hour,” ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair said while launching the software product here.
The unique software can be used to scan, process and study the images and spatial data relayed by the space agency’s communication and remote-sensing satellites in the polar and geo-synchronous orbits.
“Our Insat and remote sensing satellites transmit digital images to earth stations containing spatial data for drought or flood monitoring, forestry, fisheries and agriculture activity. Demand for data from satellites and usage have multiplied. We need more transponders, train skilled manpower and infrastructure to meet the country’s requirements,” Nair said.
The bug-free, versatile and easy-to-use enterprise software (version 1.0) has been tested at the ISRO centre by space scientists and geo-informatics experts along with Scanpoint engineers.
“All analytical features come as standard with the software. A suite of tools are provided to customise the product for image processing, terrain analysis, 3D modelling, ICR (intelligent character reading), decision support and uncertainty management,” Scanpoint director A.R. Dasgupta said.
Priced at Rs.1.2 million, the proprietary software can be used under licence for defence, telecom, transportation, infrastructure, urban planning, resource exploration, forestry, agriculture, environment, energy, disaster management and healthcare.
