Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. At 10:56 p.m. EDT on July 20, 1969, Commander Neil Armstrong made a great stride for humanity when he became the first person to set foot on the moon.

But it's a historic event that almost didn't happen.

According to NASA officials, once the astronauts in the rapidly descending Eagle lunar module got a closer look at the computer's intended touchdown site, what was supposed to be smooth was, in fact, rock strewn and unlandable. Improvising, Armstrong quickly took manual control and traversed above the moon's surface in search of a place to land. With 30 seconds of fuel to spare, they finally positioned themselves for a safe landing. And the rest, they say, is history.

Forty years later, perspective and positioning, once again, are of utmost importance for a successful return to the moon in 2020. And I'm not just talking about finding a good parking space. A primary task for NASA is to enable its astronauts to find their own bearings. The lack of visual cues on the featureless terrain makes it difficult for moonwalkers to judge distance, direction and put things into perspective, which can be downright dangerous for any number of reasons.

Last November, POB reported on the Lunar Astronaut Spatial Orientation and Information System program, or LASOIS, tasked with developing a navigation system that will aide the astronauts of the Constellation Program's 2020 moon landing. LAOIS is intended to enhance an astronaut's spatial-orientation capabilities by providing consistent global and local orientation and navigation information via the combination of an integrated network of motion-based sensors, surface cameras and orbiter maps with information technology, which will provide astronauts with the familiar look and feel of a GPS-based system. LASOIS testing and astronaut training is projected to be completed by 2011, which gives NASA nine years to successfully incorporate LASOIS before the 2020 Constellation Program moon landing.

It's fascinating stuff. These astronauts are like the earthbound explorers of yesteryear who searched out new lands whether for the thrill of exploration, a lust for treasure, or to determine its potential for colonization. Then comes the surveyors who lay the foundation for organized development of the new society.

It all makes me wonder: How long will it be before surveyors suit up for space? What would surveying entail on the moon, Mars, or elsewhere, and what kind of equipment might you need to get the job done? Send me an e-mail, and let me know what you think.

Have a great week,

Wendy Lyons,
eNews editor

P.S. Check out the 40th Anniversary celebration on NASA's Web site for newly released video and audio from the Apollo 11 mission and much more.

Exclusive Offer for POB Readers Only

Complete Field to Finish Software and Hardware Package with Training for only $6,185 $2,795

Save Thousands
This exclusive POB offer from MicroSurvey includes MicroSurvey CAD Premium, FieldGenius Standard, FieldGenius Advanced Module, a Rugged Archer Field PC and tuition for a week of Software Training at MicroSurvey Headquarters!
1-800-668-3312

Web Exclusives!

In the Beginning
by William D. Hatfield
The Bible has always been a reliable source for the history of the Jewish people. This historical account encompasses many esoteric and otherworldly encounters. But what's often overlooked are the overwhelming accounts of the day-to-day life as well as the professions of the common people. ...

The Elevated Place
by Gene LaNier
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many of America's wealthiest people built lavish homes, and many still stand today. One such home is Vizcaya in Miami, Fla. Built by James Deering, a vice president of International Harvester, Vizcaya, which is Basque for "elevated place," is a composite of many Italian villas Deering visited in search of his dream home. ...

POB's 2009 GIS Software Survey
If you plan on investing in GIS software this year, be sure to check out the GIS Software Survey first. Our searchable, user-friendly format allows you to compare products so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.

The 2008 Surveying & Mapping Industry Software and Equipment CLEAReports indicate fewer plans to purchase CAD and data collector software, data collector controllers, tripods, and robotic total stations in 2009.

Learn more about future purchase intentions, highly desired brands, and software/equipment trends by contacting Sima Patel at patels@clearseasresearch.com or 248.786.1626.

How much involvement does your firm have with GIS?

• We have a dedicated GIS division with GIS professionals on staff.
• We have integrated GIS into our surveying business and use it internally as well as to provide services to our clients.
• We offer GIS services as needed, but it's not a major part of our business.
• We collaborate or partner with GIS firms.
• We're interested but haven't taken the plunge yet.
• None; we're strictly a surveying firm.

Take a moment to vote at www.pobonline.com.  

Work from Home!

Millman Surveying seeks drafter with minimum of 2 years ALTA/ACSM land title surveying drafting experience to work from home.

Land surveying experience a plus. Knowledge of Carlson Survey or Autocad Land Development Desktop software a necessity. 

Resumes to tfinke@millmansurveying.com.   

A New Free Special Report Published by Leica Geosystems
"The New Infrastructure Boom Market," offers pricing, bidding, and marketing tips to help contractors, engineers, and surveyors win lucrative infrastructure projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Webinar Workshop Series Announced by ASPRS
The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) has developed a new Webinar Workshop Series, with the first workshop in the series being Preparation for ASPRS Certification. This workshop will be offered in four 2-hour segments on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, 2009.

Dewberry and Sewall Form Partnership to Provide Expanded Services
Under the teaming arrangement, Dewberry is integrating its broad GIS and mapping technology capabilities with Sewall's expertise in renewable energy, forestry, and natural resources consulting.

Lovin Seated as MAPPS President, McDonald Elected President-Elect:Five New Directors Take Office
Members of MAPPS elected a slate of five new directors to the organization's board of directors, and new officers were seated on Friday, June 26, 2009. The actions took place during the association's annual business meeting at its 2009 summer conference in Brewster, MA.

CLICK for more Industry News.

Million-dollar mistake to end in land swap
The $1.3 million house near the Loch Raven Reservoir was built with an eye toward details--handcrafted ceilings, a wood-paneled library--but missed a critical one: It sits on land owned not by the homeowner but the City of Baltimore.

Ash Grove Family Selected for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" 
A Greene County family got the surprise and thrill of a lifetime Tuesday morning. Land surveyor Chris Hampton, his wife, Niki, and their six children learned their home will be transformed this week by the producers of ABC's popular "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

Family mourns 'Tigger' 
By all accounts, land-surveyor-in-training Brian "Tigger" Stothart was an elite boater, a funny guy and a thoughtful friend. But his real passion, friends said, was his wife, Valerie, and their children, Samuel and Sophia.

Small business imperiled by health care costs
Tom Hori, owner of Redcon Inc., a Bountiful business specializing in land surveying, is "hopeful" Congress can come up with a health care plan which will allow small business owners like him the ability to continue to provide insurance to employees despite rising health care costs.

The Mason-Dixon mystery
There's a historical mystery brewing here that has some folks puzzled and excited.

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Joke of the Week: Five Surgeons

Five surgeons are discussing which patients are the best to operate on.

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

The second responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded."

The third surgeon says ...

Problem of the Week: Geodetic and Control Surveys: North American Datums

Which of the following statements correctly describes the origin of the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27)?

A. The origin of NAD27 is at Meades Ranch in Kansas.
B. The origin of NAD27 is geocentric.
C. The geoidal height of the origin of NAD27 is assumed to be zero.
D. Both A and C are true.

Follow this link to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.

New Edition:
GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design Retail Price: $95.95  

Maps, either printed or digital, can create effective communication with bosses, clients, other scientists, and the public. However, entry level GISers often find that map design was given short shrift in their pre-professional life. It is time for the GIS field, which is maturing in other ways, to improve its skills in this area. Based on the author's more than ten years of research and practice in map design, GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design provides the tools to create truly sophisticated maps.

FOLLOW THIS LINK for more information or to purchase. Call Stephanie at 248-244-1275 to place your order by phone!