EarthData awarded $4.3-million contract for radar mapping in South America

October 31, 2006

EarthData International (EarthData) today announced the award of a $4.3 million contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to map portions of one of South America's largest countries using the GeoSAR radar mapping system. GeoSAR, owned and operated exclusively by EarthData, will produce high-resolution image and terrain maps to support a variety of land and information management activities.

Mounted on a jet aircraft and using two radar bands (X- and P-bands) simultaneously, the GeoSAR system will fly over the area and collect extremely accurate images and three-dimensional models of the forest canopy surface as well as the terrain beneath the canopy. "GeoSAR is the only existing system that can map through trees and clouds, which makes it exceptionally valuable for mapping regions such as this where dense vegetation and perennial cloud cover make conventional mapping techniques impossible or cost-prohibitive," explained EarthData CEO Anne Hale Miglarese. Miglarese added that EarthData is pleased to continue its long and successful relationship with NGA, a partner in the GeoSAR system's development over the past 7 years.

Throughout its history, EarthData has led the mapping industry in developing, adapting and commercializing emerging technologies specifically for mapping purposes. GeoSAR, with its one-of-a-kind foliage and cloud-penetrating P-band capability, is the company's latest innovation.