Download Press Release - Surrey Satellite Technology

Press Release
Friday 9th May 2008
Burma aid directed by satellite
As the death toll in Burma grows following Cyclone Nargis, so the continuing devastation and
flooding caused is recorded by UK-based satellite imaging company DMCii Ltd. Satellite
images are being used by the United Nation's UNOSAT to detect floodwater and to estimate
the likely impact on villages and townships. The images taken from space are compared
with those recorded prior to the cyclone in order to predict the spread of post-disaster
floodwaters.
UK-DMC satellite image of Burma (Myanmar) showing the Rangoon (Yangon) area and
southern coastal regions.
Images taken of Myanmar, using UK-DMC's 32 m resolution camera, show the disaster area
in unprecedented detail. DMC imagery acquired of the region is supplied to project managers
of the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" to be processed into information
products that determine flood extents. DMCii has also supplied pre-disaster archive imagery
to enable comparisons with post-disaster imagery for the production of emergency maps.
Once the Burmese government allow UN planes carrying vital food supplies to land,
UNOSAT will be able to use the satellite images to help direct both emergency services and
aid to those areas most seriously affected.
DMICii is an SSTL company, based in Guildford UK which co-ordinates the Disaster
Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The DMC currently operates four satellites owned by a
consortium comprising CNTS Algeria (AlSAT-1), NSRDA Nigeria (NigeriaSat-1), BLMIT PR
China (Beijing-1) and BNSC (UK-DMC). Two more SSTL-built satellites will be launched into
the DMC later this year - Deimos-1 for Spanish customer Deimos Space and UK-DMC-2
funded by SSTL. SSTL are currently building a further two DMC satellites for Nigeria, which
will be launched in 2009.
DMC International Imaging Ltd. (DMCii) is a UK supplier of remote sensing data products
and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed
and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring
Constellation (DMC). DMC data is now used in a wide variety of commercial and government
applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.
In partnership with the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and the other DMC member
nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey) DMCii uses the commercial exploitation of the DMC
small satellite constellation to fund co-ordination of the DMC for humanitarian use in the
event of major international disasters. DMCii works with the UN, the European Space
Agency and The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters during disasters such as
Tsunami, Fire, Flooding and Hurricanes.
DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite
Technology Ltd, the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the
DMC with the support of the BNSC and in conjunction with the DMC Member nations Algeria,
China, Nigeria, Turkey and the UK.
www.dmcii.com
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) develops innovative technologies to change the
economics of space, delivering cost effective satellite missions within rapid timescales. The
Company is a world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of high performance
small satellites with experience gained over more than 25 years and 27 missions launched.
SSTL employs 270 staff working on LEO, GEO and interplanetary missions, turnkey satellite
platforms and space-proven satellite subsystems and optical systems. The Company also
provides know-how transfer and training programmes and consultancy services, and
performs studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers related to platform design,
mission analysis and planning.
Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by the University of Surrey (85%), SSTL staff (5%),
and SpaceX of the USA (10%).
www.sstl.co.uk
Notes to editor:
High resolutions images are available upon request from Stephen Ballard (details below).
These can be previewed in the printable pdf version of this press release, that can be
downloaded from the SSTL online press room :
http://www.ballard.co.uk/sstl/
Picture caption: UK-DMC satellite image of Burma (Myanmar) showing the Rangoon
(Yangon) area and southern coastal regions.
The latest images of the area can be downloaded from
http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp?id=66
SSTL and DMCii Contacts:
Audrey Nice, Press Officer, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1483 804200 Email: [email protected]
Paul Stephens, Sales & Marketing Director, DMC International Imaging Ltd.
Tel: +44 (0)1483 804299 Email: [email protected]
Press Contact:
Stephen Ballard, Ballard Communications Management (BCM)
Tel: +44 (0)1306 882288 Email: [email protected]