When a number of small, highly specialised remote-sensing companies were founded across­Europe in the 1980s, few thought they would grow and expand to become a leading provider of geo-information products and services for managing the development, environment and security of our changing world. Over the past decade some of these companies have become key­pillars in the European Infoterra Group, provider of geo-information products and ser­vices, and subsidiaries of Eu­ropean space company Astrium. In July 2008 Astrium purchased further shares in Spot Image and now holds a 81% share, thus becoming the majority share­holder. This more than logic­al dealformalises the existing co-oper­ation and represents a significant step­towards intensifying synergies between Infoterra and Spot Image. Figure 1 gives an overview of the companies involved, now having 650 staff members in five­European countries and seven overseas subsidiaries, here jointlyreferred to as the ‘Group’.

Unique Range
Its current composition allows the Group to access a unique range of remote-sensing data sources, both air and space-borne. Thanks to its multi-satellite programming and acquisition capabilities, the companiesarecapable of offering comprehensive high-resolution operational data acquisition capacity. The French optical SPOT satellite family, the German high-resolution radar satellite Terra­SAR-X, Taiwan’s FORMOSAT-2and Korea’s 1-metre KOMP­­SAT-2 are directly tasked,enabling rapid and reliable daily data acquisition of any place onearth. Timely download and processing of data is guaranteed by an extensive global network of receiving stations and ‘24/7’ availability of teams providing near-real-time data processing and data de­livery in case of time-critical requests. These capabilities are supplemen­ted by extensive data archives and reliable dissemination via novel online services. Our port­folio is completed by quick and reliable access to other current space-borne sensors, such as Ikonos, QuickBird, Enivsat, and ERS, as well as a comprehensive range of airborne sensors operated around the globe. Figure 2 shows an example of very high-resolution 3D imagery generated from airborne data; airborne sensors acquire aerial digital photography, colour infrared imagery, Lidar height data or hyperspectral and thermal data.

Data Processing
However, the service portfolio reaches far beyond pure data acquisition and delivery. Our experts have developed data-processing systems and a broad range of geo-information services used in versatile fields of application around the globe. They also offer the necessary training and consultation services. Users in emergency rapid response and crises management, topographic mapping and survey, environmental management and monitoring, defence and security, oil, gas and mineral exploration, spatial planning and utility management all rely on advanced data processing and handling tools, as well as up-to-date geo-information solutions. Spot Image and Infoterra expect a yearly sales volume of about 250 million US dollars,with room for further growth.

Joint Offerings
We are increasing our global presence and combining complementary expertise. Over coming years we plan to expand our established business portfolios and brands, such as Spot 3D imagery (see Figure 3), TerraSAR-X Data Services, the ISTAR telecom portfolio or direct data reception services for both Spot and Terra­SAR-X satellite data. Strong efforts will be made to identify and exploit potential synergies within this close co-operation. Our ser­vice portfolio is significantly enhanced by joint offerings based on the combination of radar and optical satellite data. The compatibility and complementary nature of TerraSAR-X radar and the optical SPOT and FORMOSAT-2 satellites was demonstrated when we applied our emergency rapid-response capabilities following the Sichuan Earthquake of May 2008(see article page13). The successful effort leaves no doubtof the broad potential for joint services, not only in short-term response, but also in sophisticated and sustainable products and services.

Long-term Strategy
These recent developments and the resulting objectives are fully in line with the long-term strategy of Infoterra’s parent company Astrium, as well as that of its own parent companyEADS, which aims to significantly increase its services segment over the coming decade. This setting offers great opportunities for working with other Astrium Services entities towards innovative common applications combining key cap­abilities. Established components from Earth observation, secure telecommunications and navigation services will be integrated into novel one-stop-shop solutions, enabling customers to work with one harmonious and compatible product or service rather than a cluster of various elements stemming from different sources.

Future Challenges
In parallel with these proposed solutions, Spot Image and Infoterra invest continually in research and development of new remote-sensing products, often in close co-operation with future users, to expand the current portfolio of services. The European GMES initiative, in which Infoterra is co-ord­inating major projects in several key areas and Spot Image providing significant satellite imagery and services, is one of the central settings for such activities. Within this programme it has been possible for our companies to bring a number of services on from concept to operation, and we are eager to proceed to implementation over coming months and years. Examples of such services include water-quality monitoring, water-resource assessment, large-scale land-cover mapping, flood and fire-related risk-management applications, and many more. All of these short-term endeavours, along with an ambition to gradually expand the market for earth-observation ser­vices by demonstrating the benefitsoffered for monitoring andmanaging the assets, augur an exciting period for all involved. And with the TerraSAR-X twin Tan­DEM-X (a radar satellite constellation for global DEM generation), the Pleiades constellation (two agile, 50cm-resolution optical satellites) ahead, and development of SPOT 6, a high-resolution optical sensor which will ensure SPOT 5 ser­vice continuity beyond 2012, the Group confidently faces a challenging, yet promisingfuture.

References
www.infoterra-global.com

www.spotimage.com