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UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER: Space Age Business Solutions; Leicester And Nottingham Universities And emda Apply Out-Of-This-World Knowledge To Boost Enterprise
[October 08, 2008]

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER: Space Age Business Solutions; Leicester And Nottingham Universities And emda Apply Out-Of-This-World Knowledge To Boost Enterprise


(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
RDATE:08102008

EVENT ON OCTOBER 10th 2008, 9.30-2.30 at the National Space Centre,
Leicester Exploiting space age technology for the benefit of business
and professionals in the East Midlands is the focus of an enterprise
event in Leicester.

The Universities of Leicester and Nottingham have teamed up with emda
to examine the appliance of science to boost business performance and
improve efficiency.

Professor Paul Monks, from the University of Leicester, is examining
the applications of space data in business. He said: "A revolution is
underway in the everyday use of space-based information services,
including satellite navigation systems in transport and satellite
imagery for Google Earth and Google Map.

"Through Europe's investment in satellite navigation with Galileo, and
environmental monitoring with GMES, many more applications for space
information are emerging.

"The University of Leicester is currently launching a knowledge hub for
the East Midlands region's network for exploitation and utilisation of
GMES space technologies, also incorporating applications to our
regional agendas in transport, health and construction. We are setting
up mechanisms to support knowledge exchange partnerships with national
and regional companies, especially SMEs, with participation through
in-situ training and joint projects.

"This Workshop on October 10 will explore new opportunities for
businesses, public sector users and potential investors regarding
commercial and civil-use applications of space-based data services."
The event will cover:

* Use of space information systems in applications for environmental
protection, air quality monitoring, health, security, disaster
management, leisure and tourism.

* Application of satellite navigation technology in transport and
communication, land survey, agriculture, tourism, waste disposal and
logistics.

* Opportunities for building academic/business partnerships, especially
those involving SMEs.

* Routes to access European Commission Framework 7 programmes and other
funding options for developing these and related applications.

Terry Moore, Professor of Satellite Navigation and Director of the
IESSG said: "Satellite navigation is one of the most important growth
technologies of the early 21st Century. GPS (the basis of the SatNav
now familiar in many people's cars) will soon be joined by other
systems, including Europe's Galileo, and location and timing services
provided by these systems are becoming a fundamental part of all our
lives. This event will highlight the East Midlands established position
at the very front of the developments of this new technology and how we
work with industry." David Wallace, Director of Innovation at East
Midlands Development Agency (emda) said: "Over the years there have
been many commercial spin offs from space technologies. Applications as
diverse as water purification, solar energy, scratch resistant lenses
and even golf balls have benefitted from the space programme.

"This is why it is vitally important for businesses in the East
Midlands to be aware of the latest breakthroughs in space technology.
This seminar will make businesses understand how some of these
technologies can be applied to the development of commercial products
and services." Presentations will be made by: Professor Alan Wells -
Emeritus Professor at the University of Leicester, emda NEREUS Network
of European Regions Using Space Technology Professor Paul Monks -
University of Leicester Applications of Space Data in Business

Professor Terry Moore - University of Nottingham Sat Nav - Myths,
Realities and Diverse Applications of Satellite Navigation

Dr. Richard Gilmore - DG Enterprise, EC Funding Opportunities in the
Space Theme in FP7

Dr. Michael Rose - BNSC.

National Objectives for Space Technology - Applications in GMES and GNSS

Dr. Nick Veck - Infoterra-Global.

Business Services from EO - Emergency Services and Risk Management

NOTES TO NEWSDESK:

Background info: East Midlands, England, capacities in Global and
Regional Environmental Monitoring using Space and in situ Earth
Observation.

University of Leicester The University of Leicester has a long and
successful history in space research, there having been Leicester-built
instruments operational on orbiting satellites in every year since
1967. Programmes in Earth Observation Science, Space Astronomy and
Planetary Exploration are coordinated under the umbrella of the
University's Space Research Centre.

Earth Observation programmes are supported by a multi-disciplinary team
researching in many aspects of remote sensing, atmospheric and
Earth-surface science. Core disciplines embrace Physics, Chemistry and
Geography, with individual research teams working in each of these
departments. Key research areas include: atmospheric composition and
air quality; sea and land surface temperatures; fires and burned areas;
ground subsidence. Several projects involve participation in
international collaborations working on global studies, such as
chemistry-climate interactions; global sea surface temperature
monitoring; CO2 drawdown through vegetation; climate impacts of aerosol
concentrations e.g. from desert dust and volcanoes. Other projects are
more regional or local in significance, such as urban heat island
studies; local air quality monitoring; pollution mapping; green space
audit in conjunction with GIS applications.

The University of Leicester is a partner is the government-funded
Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) with technology
interests in next generation instrumentation for EOS satellites,
especially SENTINEL 5, building on heritage with instrument involvement
with ATSR on ERS1 & 2, ENVISAT and GERB on MSG2. Expertise also extends
to aircraft and in situ sensors, spectroscopy for remote sensing;
algorithm development for data extraction and calibration/validation of
operational instruments.

The University is currently launching a project called G-STEP which is
a knowledge hub for the East Midlands region's NEREUS network for
exploitation and utilisation of GMES space technologies, also


incorporating applications to our regional agendas in transport, health
and construction. Through G-STEP we are setting up mechanisms to
support knowledge exchange partnerships with national and regional
companies, especially SME's, with participation through in-situ
training and joint projects. G-STEP will become the hub for our
regional participation in EC space strategies in GMES through NEREUS
and inter-regional joint projects.

The current research portfolio that supports these programmes stands at
GBP2.6M.


University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham houses the Institute of Engineering
Surveying and Space Geodsy (IESSG), a centre of excellence in the field
of positioning technology and applications. IESSG works with leading
industrial organisations as well as ESA, BNSC and the UK Meteorological
Office in collaborative projects in GNSS. The institute covers a
diverse range of research topics including: navigation and positioning
systems; remote sensing; sensor integration; geodesy; environmental
research and GIS.

With regional funding support from emda, the University has launched
GRACE, the GNSS Research and Applications Centre of Excellence, for the
purposes of developing downstream applications using GNSS technology
across industry and the public sector. Housed in a new building on the
University of Nottingham Innovation Park, GRACE will provide new
services and facilities designed to provide: GNSS research laboratories
and training service; GNSS applications development; GNSS simulation
and test bed facilities; training suites; business incubation and
support; and a Galileo cluster capability for spin-off SME activites.

National Space Centre The National Space Centre is the UK's foremost
science visitor centre dedicated to the theme of SPACE and aims to
increase understanding of how space science and technology affects the
lives of citizens in the 21st century . Opened in 2001 at a cost of
GBP60M, the National Space Centre attracts over 200,000 visitors
annually, 50,000 of these being school children engaged in science
education programmes. Promoting the role of space in science education
is an integral part of the Centre's work.

The Centre provides a showcase for the significant and pioneering role
of the space industry in European Space programmes. The Centre is
frequently used as a venue for major space events, such as launches and
announcements of new space discoveries, and already hosts exhibitions
and events relating to Galileo and GNSS technologies. A new gallery is
currently being planned to demonstrate the importance of Space in the
understanding and mitigation of the effects of climate change on the
Earth's environment.

Supported by regional funding, the National Space Centre leads the UK's
first Space Academy in a partnership with the Universities of Leicester
and Nottingham. The Space Academy provides a powerful education
resource, using the inspiration of space to support science education
and outreach projects for students from age nine to 19, through science
master classes, summer space schools, road shows and distance learning
programmes, all aligned to the science, technology, engineering, maths
(STEM) national curriculum. Careers fairs help students to link with
universities and employers and the Academy will be running an annual
Space Conference for Science Teachers from 2009 onwards.

About emda

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional
Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional
focus to economic development. Working in partnership with public,
private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006
Regional Economic Strategy (RES) A Flourishing Region', which sets out
regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda,
highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and
builds on the previous two strategies; Prosperity Through People' and
Destination 2010'. In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced
emda had received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly'
in an independent assessment of our work - scoring 22 out of 24. For
more details visit www.emda.org.uk .

Business Meets Space The above organisations are collaborating in a
consultation activity with national and regional industries and public
sector in a workshop and networking event entitled "Business Meets
Space". This will take place at the National Space Centre, Leicester,
on October 10 2008. The objectives and programme are available at
www.leos.le.ac.uk/businessmeetsspace.

CONTACT: Professor Paul Monks, University of Leicester
Tel: +44 (0)116 252 2141
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr John Remedios
Tel: +44 (0)116 223 1319
e-mail: [email protected]
Professor Terry Moore, University of Nottingham
Tel: +44 (0)115 951 3886
e-mail: [email protected]

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