Space Enterprise Council to Host Forum on Commercial Remote Sensing

The Space Enterprise Council of TechAmerica, a lobbying organization in Washington, D.C., is hosting a forum on the state of commerical remote sensing and specifically on the status of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's EnhanceView contract. The forum will be held Friday April 27, 9 - 10 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2325. In a statement from the Council, they commented that,

Proposed cuts in the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget request will have a profound impact on the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s Enhanced View (EV) Program. A weakened U.S. commercial imagery industrial base would create a real opportunity for foreign competitors, particularly in Europe, to take over the industry.  The Pentagon’s budget decision may damage a vital U.S. industry, impact national security, allow foreign competitors to acquire U.S. organic capabilities, and or force U.S. government consumers to go without this much-needed capability.

Representatives from GeoEye, Google, ITT Exelis and NOAA are expected to speak at the forum.