Date Time
UNOSAT in 2020: a year in review
Geneva, Switzerland – 2020 was a year of both challenges and accomplishments for UNITAR-UNOSAT. Our mapping teams delivered 1,136 products and services based on over 300 analyses to partners in 59 countries, with an emphasis on Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa & Western and South-Eastern Asia, but also Latin America and the Caribbean. Much of the data produced was used to assess exposure to and impact of hazards, but also to generate potential flood scenarios for refugee camp planning, assess damages, conduct sectoral analyses, and more. Throughout the year we also successfully designed and implemented several capacity development activities: UNITAR-UNOSAT delivered 16 learning-related events in 2020 to 471 beneficiaries consisting mostly of government officials, 6 of which were web-based and 10 of which took place face-to-face (4 in the Pacific, 4 in Africa, 2 in Asia). Themes included Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) applications
International Partnership Programme
The International Partnership Programme (IPP) is a 5 year, £152 million programme run by the UK Space Agency. IPP uses the UK Space sector’s research and innovation strengths to deliver a sustainable, economic or societal benefit to undeveloped nations and developing economies. IPP is funded from the BEIS Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As GCRF forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) ring-fenced budget, IPP is required to be fully ODA compliant and will be delivered in line with the UN sustainability goals.
IPP is running a call for proposals to select 1 successful bid (that can include multiple organisations) to deliver a “satellite-enabled data services public policy course”.
Cathrine Armour
Biography
As Chief Customer Officer at the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), and member of the Executive Board, Cathrine leads the global commercial activity overseeing a 300-strong team, across, customer strategy and innovation, product and service development, sales and business development, marketing and channel operations including customer services to deliver marine data solutions that support safe, secure and thriving oceans.
Cathrine is also responsible in leading the UKHO’s teams as they deliver the organisation’s Public Task of ensuring safety of life at sea and meeting the UK National Security Strategy and defence marine geospatial needs. She represents UK Government at UN-GGIM and is a member of the Geospatial Commission Strategy Group.
UK consortium launches InCEPTion project to develop integrated electric aircraft propulsion module
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) specialist Blue Bear Systems Research, a UK Small to Medium Enterprise, has formed a seven-strong consortium to develop a next-generation, all-electric propulsion module to enhance aircraft performance while reducing operating costs. The propulsion module is a scalable design and is the first in a range of products that can be used for aircraft less than 5 tonnes in the near term.
The project Integrated Flight Control, Energy Storage and Propulsion Technologies for Electric Aircraft (InCEPTion) is supported and co-funded by the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK and was launched this month. The 24-month project will deliver a highly power-dense, quiet and efficient propulsion module with zero emissions out.
Boeing Co has unveiled plans to deliver commercial aircraft capable of using 100% biofuel by 2030. Using existing technologies under current regulations, it can only use biofuel blends of up to 50%, EURACTIV’s media partner, edie.net, reports.
Boeing is striving to halve emissions by 2050 and sees biofuels playing a key role in meeting the target
In a statement released late last week, the US-based plane manufacturer said that changes will need to happen across the fields of jet system engineering and global regulation for the new innovation vision to be realised.
On the former, there are currently no jet systems capable of being fuelled by 100% biofuel that are both large enough to support a commercial aircraft and cost-competitive with traditional systems. On the latter, current international fuel specifications permit blends of up to 50% biofuel, with the rest being conventional, fossil-based jet fuel.