From the standpoint of education the new joint proposal of ScanEx and the Israeli company ImageSat Int. is put forward for higher educational institutions of different countries: to supply UNISCAN stations capable of receiving satellite images, complete with annual license for reception of 100 scenes from the Israeli satellite EROS A (1.9 meter of spatial resolution). Therefore, this is the first time in the history of the world, staff and students of higher educational institutions will be able to receive at their own stations up-to-date data of near real-time imagery with spatial resolution that was early available only for the military and intelligence. This proposal represents the next step towards implementation of ScanEx RDC mission – expansion and streamlining of access to near real-time space imagery.

The new project in the framework of the ScanEx’s environmental protection activities reflects the joint initiative with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): “Satellite Technologies for Protection of Harp Seal Pups in the White Sea”.

Uncontrolled vessel passage in early spring through ice floes that serve as “nursery” for seals is one of the reasons for their mass mortality in the White Sea. Per specialists’ estimation around 500 – 1000 seal pups die during each of these ice channeling operations. In spring 2009 ScanEx RDC in conjunction with IFAW will start the project on monitoring ship traffic and ice channeling across the seal “whelping” locations in the White Sea. In addition, the ice channeling operations completed in 2007 and 2008 are being documented based on the data received by IFAW on seal “whelping” locations from the archives of ScanEx RDC. Results of near real-time satellite monitoring in spring 2009 and data of 2007 and 2008 will be published on "Kosmosnimki" web site.

“We believe that the documentary records of unjustified killing of harp seals in the White Sea obtained through utilization of the state-of-the-art satellite technologies will help saving these helpless animals, – said Vice-President of ScanEx RDC Olga Gershenzon. — Protection of these animals is of vital importance. This is our contribution to the IFAW’s environmental campaign "Don’s Strike the Seals!”. We believe that having the good will it is possible to arrange ship traffic bypassing the whelping locations during several weeks in spring when baby seals can hardly move. I hope that space technologies will help."

"For fifteen years IFAW has been waging the campaign in Russia to protect baby harp seals from hunting and harmful anthropogenic impact. We are glad that starting this year we’ll be able to expand our capabilities in the effort of protecting the White Sea population with the support of such competent company as ScanEx. This will give people a chance to view the situation literally from space, provide the campaign with additional visual aids and arguments, and I believe will make significant contribution to the overall success”, said Maria Vorontsova, Director of the Russian IFAW Office.

<p style="text-align:right;"><i>Источник: GeoConnexion (http://www.geoconnexion.com/geo_news_article/New-Initiatives-Proposed-by-ScanEx-RDC-/4997)</i></p>