News and Updates

Pacific GIS & RS Newsletter – Issue 1, 2026 Now Available
The Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) is pleased to announce the release of the Pacific Islands GIS & RS Newsletter – Issue 1, 2026. This new edition highlights a diverse range of geospatial initiatives, technical developments, and regional experiences from across the Pacific, demonstrating how GIS, Remote Sensing, drones, open-source technologies, and environmental monitoring continue to support sustainable development and resilience throughout the region. Featured articles include: A summary of the 2025 Pacific …
A New PGRSC Member: Mangoesmapping
By supporting PGRSC, Mangoesmapping looks forward to strengthening connections within the geospatial community, collaborating with like-minded practitioners, and contributing to the advancement of GIS and remote sensing capabilities in small communities and remote areas. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, connected, and forward-thinking geospatial network across the Pacific. PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: Mangoesmapping Mangoesmapping is excited to join the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) …
Introducing the New PGRSC Member Dashboard
We are pleased to introduce the new PGRSC Member Dashboard a redesigned and centralized member workspace providing direct access to professional services, consultant activities, conference tools, opportunities, resources, and community features from a single interface. The new dashboard is now automatically accessible to all members immediately after login. This evolution represents an important step toward supporting the PGRSC Roadmap and delivering a more connected, dynamic, and operational experience for the Pacific GIS & Remote Sensing …
A New PGRSC Member: The Spatial Distillery Company
PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: The Spatial Distillery Company The Spatial Distillery Co. is an Australian geospatial consultancy and technology partner delivering spatial software, satellite imagery, data, training, and professional services that help organisations across the Pacific Islands region make better decisions through location intelligence. We work with a broad range of public and private sector organisations across government, utilities, infrastructure, telecommunications, environmental management, and development sectors, providing practical solutions using …
A New PGRSC Member: MAGIS
PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: MAGIS Based in Nouméa, New Caledonia, since 2010, MAGIS is an IT firm specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tailored to the unique needs of Pacific Island nations. MAGIS empower decision-makers and local actors by transforming complex spatial data into intuitive, autonomous business solutions for sustainable development. MAGIS expertise is focused on three core areas: Technical Networks: Modernizing water, energy, and telecommunications management through advanced spatial …
A New PGRSC Member: PCRP
PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: PCRP Based in the Northern Mariana Islands, PCRP is a small non-profit devoted to better understanding, visualizing, and improving coastal environments in the Pacific Islands Region. Our work draws on a wide-range of expertise and capacities, including environmental planning, marine debris removal, geospatial analysis & mapping, watershed restoration, and coastal hazard adaptation.  We partner with businesses, government entities, and academic institutions throughout the Pacific, leveraging the …
Free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from ESRI entitled: Make an Impact with Modern Geo Apps
Please find the following link for a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from ESRI entitled: Make an Impact with Modern Geo Apps. The class runs from Apr 8 – May 6, 2026. Registration closes on April 16, 2026. Thank you to Sarah Pitcher Campbell from Eagle Technology for sharing this information. Make an Impact with Modern Geo Apps | Esri Training MOOC Course Description: Using modern, no-code technologies, anyone can build useful and engaging geo apps. Learn …
A New PGRSC Member: Locus
PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: Locus. Locus is a New Zealand based data integration consultancy with over 20 years’ experience in automation and enterprise GIS. We specialise in spatial data integration and intelligent workflows using FME, Esri technologies and modern data platforms. Our focus is knowledge transfer and capability building. Providing organisations with the tools, skills and confidence to manage and automate their own data integration environments. By combining technical expertise …
Free GIS and Remote Sensing Resources Series – Week 22: SPC’s QGIS Manual for Census and Survey Mapping
This week, we will explore The Pacific Community (SPC) Statistics for Development Division (SDD)'s tools for using QGIS to map and analyse census and survey data. Week 22: Are you interested in learning how to use open source software for census and survey mapping? The Pacific Community (SPC) Statistics for Development Division (SDD) produced a training manual to assist anyone wishing to perform census and survey mapping and analysis with QGIS. QGIS is a free and open-source GIS package and both the SPC SDD training manual …
A New PGRSC Member: Government of New Caledonia
PGRSC is pleased to annouce a new institutional member: the Government of New Caledonia New Caledonia officially joins the PGRSC The Government of New Caledonia has officially formalized its membership in the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC). This strategic move is excellent news for the territory, promising to enhance its technological influence and strengthen regional cooperation. This membership offers numerous advantages for New Caledonia without any cost to the taxpayer, as the adhesion …
Free GIS and Remote Sensing Resources Series – Week 21: Digital Earth Pacific
On behalf of the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC), we welcome you to Week 21 of our series to promote free GIS and remote sensing resources (webinars, instructional videos, technical manuals, e-books, etc.) to increase capacity, awareness, and skill development for the Pacific Islands geospatial community. Last week, we looked at a free online course from Spatial Thoughts that teaches you how to use Python programming language to conduct geospatial tasks and analyses. This week we will explore Digital …
Free GIS and Remote Sensing Resources Series – Week 20: Python Foundation for Spatial Analysis
On behalf of the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC), we welcome you to Week 20 of our series to promote free GIS and remote sensing resources (webinars, instructional videos, technical manuals, e-books, etc.) to increase capacity, awareness, and skill development for the Pacific Islands geospatial community. This week we will explore a free online course from Spatial Thoughts that teaches you how to use Python programming language to conduct geospatial tasks and analyses. Week 20: Are you …
PGRSC Renews Its Regional Membership with ISPRS
The Pacific GIS & Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) is proud to announce the renewal of its Regional Membership with the ISPRS, reaffirming its role as a key institutional representative of the Pacific region within the global geospatial science community. As a recognized regional member, Pacific GIS & Remote Sensing Council serves as a bridge between Pacific practitioners, researchers, institutions, and international scientific networks in photogrammetry, remote sensing, and geospatial information science. Strengthening the Pacific Voice …
NOAA CoastWatch/PacIOOS Satellite and Ocean Data Training Course
Based on the popularity of their workshop at the 2024 Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference and their recent PGRSC webinar from October 2025; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) CoastWatch and Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) would like to formally invite you to attend the free NOAA CoastWatch/PacIOOS Satellite and Ocean Data Training Course. This course will be hosted virtually from February 10-13, 2026, 9 AM-3 PM (Fiji Standard Time). Attendees will: – Learn where to find …
Free GIS and Remote Sensing Resources Series – Weeks 13-20
On behalf of the Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC), we apologize for the pause in our series to promote free GIS and remote sensing resources (webinars, instructional videos, technical manuals, e-books, etc.) to increase capacity, awareness, and skill development for the Pacific Islands geospatial community. During November and December, we were quite busy preparing for 2025 Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference in Fiji and the following holidays. To make up for …
Happy New Year from PGRSC!
As we step into a new year, PGRSC extends its warmest wishes to all our partners, communities, and supporters around the world. The year ahead brings new challenges, but also renewed opportunities to strengthen solidarity, promote resilience, and work collectively toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Guided by our shared values and commitments, we remain dedicated to advancing our mission and supporting the communities we serve. Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and continued …
🌐 Just Released: 2025 Issue 2 of the Pacific Islands GIS & RS Newsletter!
We’re excited to share the newest issue of the Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing Newsletter — now available! In this edition, we spotlight a major step forward for the Pacific geospatial community: a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific GIS & Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC). This partnership strengthens outreach, training, and regional coordination to ensure that satellite and geospatial technologies better support informed decision-making across the Pacific. The …
Sponsor
On behalf of PGRSC, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 for being a 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 of PGRSC and the 2025 Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference in Suva, Fiji!𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 is Fiji's premiere water suppliers. Hailing from the pristine landscapes of Fiji, 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰's artesian mineral water encapsulates the pure essence of its exotic origin and, as part of 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰's commitment to nature, their sustainable bottling plant runs …
Sponsor
On behalf of PGRSC, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to LandPro Ltd.  for being a Sponsor of PGRSC and the 2025 Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference in Suva, Fiji! Sponsor LandPro Ltd. is a multi-disciplinary team of environmental consultants using smart technology and deep local expertise to support better outcomes for people, land, and water across regional New Zealand. https://landpro.co.nz/
Bronze Sponsor
On behalf of PGRSC, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to OSGeo Oceania for being a 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿 of PGRSC and the 2025 Pacific Islands GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference in Suva, Fiji! Bronze Sponsor 𝗢𝗦𝗚𝗲𝗼 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 is a volunteer organisation devoted to growing and enabling the OpenStreetMap and Open Source Geospatial communities in Oceania.https://osgeo-oceania.org/
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PGRSC Post Archives
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  • NASA’s X-59 Aircraft Flies Supersonic for First Time
    NASA’s experimental X-59 aircraft marked a major milestone Friday, June 5, when it flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, setting the stage for demonstrating its quiet supersonic capabilities later this year.  NASA test pilot Jim “Clue” Less took off and landed at Edwards […]
  • NASA Announces Winners of 2026 University Innovation Competition 
    NASA announced the Massachusetts Institute of Technology project, Exploration-Class Lunar Integrated Power SystEm, as the first place winner for the 2026 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition, which challenges students to bridge gaps in aerospace technology by innovating new system concepts and prototypes.  […]
  • NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Research Continues on Earth
    Since NASA’s Artemis II crew members safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10 after their record-setting mission around the Moon, science teams have been busy collecting more data […]
  • NASA Concludes Antenna Mishap Investigation, Releases Report
    NASA has completed the investigation into the damage sustained last year at its 70-meter radio-frequency antenna, known as the Deep Space Station 14 (DSS-14), at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex […]
  • First Steps: America’s Grueling Second Spacewalk
    A year after America’s first spacewalk, Gemini IX-A Eugene Cernan stepped outside his spacecraft for an ambitious extravehicular activity scheduled for 167 minutes. The challenges he faced led NASA to […]
  • Colorful, Chaotic Jupiter
    During its 61st close flyby of Jupiter on May 12, 2024, NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this color-enhanced view of the giant planet's northern hemisphere.
  • Journey to the Center of the Virgo Cluster
    This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the spiral galaxy Messier 88 (M88).
  • Look Up!
    Astronauts Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) and Jack Hathaway of NASA, both Expedition 74 flight engineers, look out a window in the cupola.

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