That’s up considerably from last year’s figure of 55%. Still, mobile location-based services are clearly not for everyone.

The flip side of these Pew numbers means that one in four smartphone-owning U.S. adults do not use the maps, navigation or other location-related services these devices provide.

I was surprised by this. Who would invest in buying a smartphone (which usually costs considerably more than the simpler “feature phones” still used by more than half of U.S. adults) and not at least use the built-in maps and navigation? This seems to be one of the most basic and universally useful advantages these devices provide.

It sounds a bit like buying a computer and Internet access, but never searching with Google.

But apparently one in four smartphone owners doesn’t see the need, or doesn’t know how, to use mobile maps, navigation or location-related services.

Be sure to check out the full CNN post here.

According to NextGov, IARPA is seeking ideas for how to develop simulation tools that would allow a person to “experience a situation or interaction as if they were someone from a different culture.” Currently, IARPA is seeking “theories, techniques, tools, and metrics that would aid in building and objectively measuring capabilities that enable someone to ‘suspend’ their own cultural perspective of a particular situation or event,” according to its solicitation.

IARPA is also looking for virtual reality tools that would allow an expert to “accurately grasp a native’s point of view on a particular situation.” Be sure to check out the full solicitation here.

GeoEye Disappointed by DigitalGlobe, Inc.’s Rejection Of the Proposed Acquisition
GeoEye released this statement in response to the announcement by DigitalGlobe that its Board of Directors has rejected GeoEye’s acquisition proposal.

China Successfully Launches New Spy Satellite Into Orbit
China launched an optical military reconnaissance satellite (pictured) last Thursday.

Huge Satellite Envisat is Dead in Space
The European Space Agency declared the death of its massive Earth-observing satellite Envisat Wednesday after a month of mysterious silence from the school bus-size spacecraft.

U.S. Seeks Alternate Satellite Terminal Bids
The U.S. Air Force said on Friday it is still in talks with Boeing about revamping a multibillion-dollar program for next-generation satellite communications terminals, but has now formally invited other companies to submit alternate bids.

Keep Satellites in the Skies to Monitor Storms
New Orleans Times-Picayune editorial on why we need weather satellites.

Russian Satellite Presents the Earth from Top to Bottom (IMAGERY)
Check out these stunning images of the Earth from the Russians.

TerraGo Releases Publisher for ArcGIS v.6 to Empower Esri Users with Unprecedented Geospatial Collaboration Capabilities
TerraGo Technologies released its Publisher for ArcGIS v.6 software to enable Esri users to produce interactive, portable and intelligent TerraGo GeoPDF maps, imagery and geospatial applications.

Geospatial Data Management and Exploitation for the Utilities Industry
Mladen Stojic, Vice President, Geospatial at Intergraph SG&I, recently authored this GIS cafe post about how the utilities sector can better embrace geospatial solutions.

Spy Moms Unite
CNN ran a feature about women in the Intelligence Community. Check it out here.

Video: Is This What Apple’s New Maps Will Look Like?
After 5 years with Google’s maps, Apple is reportedly set to unveil its own.

More About GEOINT Community Week
Taking place June 4-8 in Northern Virginia, GCW has something for everybody in the community — bringing together together defense, intelligence and homeland security geospatial-user community for a week of classified briefings, learning workshops, technology exhibits and networking opportunities. To learn more about everything happening that week, click here.

But, again the big question is are you ready for GCW? We certainly are!

The system has a small launch vehicle sized like a missile that would hang under fighter jets wings. This particular missile (pictured) would be be mounted under a civilian aircraft. The aircraft would then take off and fly to cruising altitude where it would launch the missile into space.

You can access the SeeMe solicitation here, and be sure to check out this video from DARPA below.

At its core, Trajectory Magazine will focus on the future of geospatial intelligence, but its broader goal is to be the pre-eminent resource on issues of significance to the greater intelligence community. This new publication promises to provide relevant, actionable content with the mission of fostering knowledge sharing, discussion and awareness.

Trajectory Magazine will offer articles on current issues facing the defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities, such as collaboration and integration, as well as thoughtful coverage of major programs, emerging technologies and trends, related policy, foundation initiatives, and the individuals who are driving the community forward. Each issue will provide an ideal blend of hard-hitting information, coupled with lighter lifestyle pieces, and is designed to inform, communicate and entertain.

Be sure to check out the official media kit here. And, we will be showcasing a podcast with Keith Masback, USGIF President, and Kristin Quinn, USGIF’s new Publications and Communications Manager, who will be discussing this exciting new media property.



According to Mashable.com, the new site defines two antipodal points as being connected by a straight line through the dead center of the Earth. For example, if you started in New York City and dug straight through Earth, you would end up in the Indian Ocean, just southwest of Perth, Australia. And since the U.S. is so large, San Francisco’s antipodal point is southeast of Madagascar — right off the African coast.

So, yes, from the U.S., it is safe to say that you would not end up in China. Perhaps the many songs that reference “digging a hole to China” need to be revised?

And, AntipodeMap.com is not the first to tackle this question. Check out this ABC News clip from 2006.

DigitalGlobe Rejects Unsolicited Acquisition Proposal by GeoEye
Yesterday, DigitalGlobe commented on the unsolicited proposal announced by GeoEye to acquire the Company for $17.00 per share in a combination of cash and stock. The verdict: it’s not in the best interests of the DigitalGlobe’s stockholders.

GeoEye Plans DigitalGlobe Purchase; USDI Confirms Imagery Budget Cuts
AOL Defense piece on the proposed acquisition, which also features commentary from Mike Vickers, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and GEOINT 2011 keynote speaker about the proposed budget cuts.

GeoEye Bid Comes After Merger Negotiations Collapse
Space News points out that the big announcement on Friday came after merger negotiations between GeoEye and DigitalGlobe collapsed.

Fierce Rivalry Makes Merger of DigitalGlobe, GeoEye Hard to Fathom
A reporter from the Denver Business Journal provides an interesting perspective on this proposed acquisition.

DigitalGlobe Results Beat Street, Gets 2012 Funds
Meanwhile, DigitalGlobe announced better-than-expected quarterly results early last week.

Air Force Launches Advanced Communications Satellite
On Friday, the United States Air Force launched an advanced communications satellite, the second in a new fleet of spacecraft that should improve American and allied military commanders’ ability to control their forces around the globe.

China Launches Another Mapping Satellite
Yesterday, China launched a remote sensing satellite into space, stepping up its efforts to keep up with its schedule to put 100 satellites in space by 2015.

Report Warns of Weather Satellites’ ‘Rapid Decline’
The number and capability of weather satellites circling the planet “is beginning a rapid decline” and tight budgets have significantly delayed or eliminated missions to replace them, says a National Research Council analysis.

Military Wants to Know: Whose Satellites Are Those?
A new Pentagon effort aims to find the unique visual signatures of individual satellites for quick identification, regardless of whether such satellites belong to friend or foe.

“The acquisition will benefit our customers, citizens and our employees,” said Matt O’Connell, GeoEye CEO, during an investor call this morning. “We can’t give you any assurances of what the federal budget will look like in 2013, but we will continue to fight for the need of the warifighter. We will also continue to make sound and productive business decisions, and we will remain focused on strong growth.”

GeoEye has also been ramping up its efforts to showcase the value of commercial imagery to lawmakers and other government leaders. Last week, the company participated in an event on the Hill that also featured experts from Google, ITT Exelis, and NOAA, who all highlighted the importance of commercial satellite imagery to our economic and national security. These companies also displayed tech demos to showcase their products and services.

In addition, there are many other experts out there who have been making the case for commercial imagery. Our readers may recall that we hosted a podcast panel of experts on the topic of the viability of commercial imagery for government and defense. This panel included Kevin Pomfret, Executive Director of the Centre for Spatial Law and Policy; Josh Hartman, Principal at the Center for Strategic Space Studies and the CEO of the Horizon Strategies Group; and Dennis Jones, President of the Jones Consulting Group. Jones actually predicted that a move like this – an acquisition or merger between GeoEye and DigitalGlobe – would be highly likely.

In addition, in November of last year, we spoke with O’Connell who provided us with some key insights into how the Enhanced View contract.

In 2010, GeoEye announced that it was awarded the $3.8 billion contract, of which DigitalGlobe also received $3.55 billion to support it as well. The Enhanced View (EV) Program is a ten-year innovative public-private partnership between the U.S. Government (USG) and domestic commercial imagery providers to augment the Nation’s satellite imagery collection constellation. It provides high-quality imagery that can be freely shared within the US government and or with allied and coalition forces because of its unclassified nature.

Finally, be sure to check out the letter that GeoEye sent to DigitalGlobe regarding the acquisition.

May 4, 2012

During the past few months, we have discussed with you a combination of GeoEye and DigitalGlobe. We both appreciate that a combination of our two companies results in greater capability to meet national security needs, is more cost effective to the government during this fiscally constrained period, and provides improved value to decision-makers and warfighters.

The considerable scale of the combined entity creates a strong domestic player in satellite imagery which could compete more effectively with foreign providers. The combination also allows for operating expense synergies and reduced capital requirements while better satisfying customer needs. Your letter from March 2, 2012 conveys this same sentiment:

CC: DigitalGlobe Board of Directors