2016 Summer Olympics: Security From The Sky

One package DigitalGlobe is offering is access to current and historical maps, which can help security outfits rehearse and plan for contingencies, provide awareness of the locations, assess potential threats and engage in “tipping and cueing,” or spotting areas of interest.

DigitalGlobe offers a database of human geography that helps geospatial analysts track demographic trends, crime statistics for security purposes and even areas of standing water—for mosquito-tracking. The database offers more than 80,000 points of interest within Rio de Janeiro and includes the Olympic venues and event details. For example, a human landscape product will provide details about the Olympic venue, including the number of spectators and participants, the distance to the local hospital and details about what care is offered at that medical facility. “It is comprehensive knowledge,” says Amanda Marchetti, the senior program lead on the Rio security bundle.

Though the company has provided imagery for other major events, this is the first time that high-resolution satellite imagery is being used with Vricon digital surface models. It provides accuracy within 3 meters (10 ft.) in the horizontal and vertical planes without ground control points. That can help provide the best entrance and exit routes through the Olympic venues, locate the best places to position communications assets, analyze potential threats or jamming devices and locate a helicopter landing site.