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Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews...
With the recent GPS and Glonass satellite launches, Dr. Jim Reilly, POB's resident GNSS expert , provides the following editorial.
The last two weeks of 2007 were a busy period for satellite launches.
The United States launched a Global Positioning System satellite Dec. 21, and Russia launched three Glonass satellites Dec. 25.
The GPS launch was the fifth Block IIR-M satellite put on orbit, the second in 2007. Designated GPS IIR-18(M), the satellite will be placed in Slot C1 and replace Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 36, which, in turn, will replace SVN 37.
The Glonass constellation has three orbital planes compared to GPS’s six, and it’s a common practice to launch three satellites at one time. But the Russians are cautious. "The launch will bring the Glonass constellation total to 18 … assuming all three can be put into service," a press release said.
What do these new satellites do for the practicing surveyor?
For GPS-only users, nothing. The new satellite will replace an older satellite, so the total number of operational satellites will remain at 31. And for Glonass satellites that complement the GPS constellation, an additional one or two satellites will be visible certain times of the day.
The five Block IIR-M satellites and seven Glonass satellites (prior to the Dec. 25 launch) have a second civil frequency (L2C for GPS, but unnamed for Glonass satellites). However, the GPS receivers currently used by surveyors cannot pick up the L2C code.
GPS receiver manufacturers may experiment with the second civil frequency, but they’ll need more satellites for the system to be operational. This year, the United States plans to launch two of the three Block IIR-M satellites currently on the ground and Russia plans to launch six Glonass satellites. Glonass may be able to get solutions with the second civil frequency when the satellites launched in December are operational. We’ll have to wait and see.
The good news for you satellite surveyors: You don’t have to replace your receivers in 2008.
P.S. Take a minute to vote in our Quick Poll at www.pobonline.com. This month, we want to know how many industry events you plan on attending in 2008. |
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Topcon GNSS First to Add China’s Compass Signal
Topcon Positioning Systems announced its engineers and scientists successfully tracked signals from the developing Chinese Compass satellite constellation.
MAPPS Announces Keynote Speaker and Updated Agenda for Winter Conference
Jack Dangermond of ESRI will be the keynote speaker at the association's 2008 Winter Conference in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Leica Geosystems Opens ‘Geomatics Center of Excellence’ in Houston, TX – Offering Direct Sales, Service, and Support
The 4,000-square-foot, modern high-tech facility located in Houston, Texas, will offer sales, support and service for all Leica Geosystems surveying, high-definition scanning products (HDS) and reference station network infrastructures.
New Book from ESRI Press Shows How Geospatial Technology Helps Historians Analyze the Past
Titled "Placing History," the book contains five essays that cover issues such as the advantages and challenges of using GIS to study history. |
To stay on top of the latest trends in the industry, check out our Industry News section on POB's Web site.
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Now Availa ble at the AEC Store: Newest Addition - Building Layout
Shows how to use a transit to locate a building correctly on the lot, plan proper grades with minimum excavation, find utility lines and easements, establish correct elevations, lay out accurate foundations, and set correct floor heights. Explains how to plan sewer connections, level a foundation that's out of level, use a story pole and batterboards, work on steep sites, and minimize excavation costs. Retail Price: $22.00
CLICK HERE for more details or to purchase.
To view our entire product selection for the surveying industry, visit AECstore.com. Call 248-244-1275 with any questions. |
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2008 VAS Convention
Jan 15, 2008 - Jan 20, 2008
Hampton, Va.
ISPLS Annual Meeting
Jan 16, 2008 - Jan 18, 2008
Indianapolis, Ind.
NYSAPLS 48th Annual Conference
Jan 17, 2008 - Jan 19, 2008
Rochester, N.Y.
PSLS Surveyors Conference 2008
Jan 20, 2008 - Jan 23, 2008
Hershey, Pa.
World of Concrete
Jan 21, 2008 - Jan 25, 2008
Las Vegas
PSAN Winter Seminar
Jan 24, 2008 - Jan 25, 2008
Omaha, Neb.
MSPS 2008 Annual Conference
Jan 30, 2008 - Feb 1, 2008
St. Cloud, Minnesota
PLSW Annual Meeting
Jan. 31, 2008
Cheyenne, Wyoming
HLSA Annual Meeting
Jan 31, 2008 - Feb 1, 2008
Honolulu, Hawaii
For a more comprehensive list of events, visit POB's Calendar of Events
.
Want your event highlighted here? Send an e-mail with the date, location and sponsor organization of the event, as well as the name, address and phone number of a contact person to lyonsw@bnpmedia.com. |
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Don't miss your chance to win 15 minutes of fame ... and $2,000!
Enter POB's 2008 Highlights in Surveying Project Contest for a chance to win fame, glory and a cool $2,000 cash prize!
The deadline is coming up, so click to our online entry form
and give us the details about the best project you've completed in the last year. Entries are due February 19, 2008. |
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North Bay Area Engineering Firm has an immediate opening for a Registered Professional Land Surveyor
. Position will include responsible charge for production of Final Maps, ALTA Surveys, Easements, and completion of boundary resolution. Ideal candidate would be proficient in AutoCAD and familiar with supporting civil engineering design needs. Please submit resumes to aknox@rsacivil.com. Check us out at
www.rsacivil.com. |
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 The International Lidar Mapping Forum Conference and Exhibition
Denver, CO, USA
February 21 – 22, 2008
The 8th annual summit attracting industry leaders, pioneers, experts from government, academia and professionals from industries looking to invest in and benefit from LIDAR technology and services. www.lidarmap.org |
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Problem of the Week:
Surveying Astronomy: The Earth’s Orbit and the Ecliptic
Which of the following defines the ecliptic?
Cool Link of the Week:
Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS)
Joke of the Week:
The English Language
Click to POB's Fun and Games page to access the rest of this week's problem, cool link and joke! |
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If you have any comments or suggestions about the eNewsletter itself, please send an e-mail to: lyonsw@bnpmedia.com. |
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