Geospatial Intelligence

Why in news?

• Geospatial intelligence has offered valuable insights to help governments and organizations to protect communities from natural disasters.

About Geospatial Intelligence

• Geospatial intelligence is the collection and integration of data from a network of technologies, including satellites, mobile sensors, ground-control stations and aerial images.
• The data is then used to produce real-time maps and simulations to help identify when, where and to what extent a threat is likely to emerge.
• Government officials, individuals or both can use this information to make informed decisions.

Major applications

• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Geospatial intelligence aids in monitoring and responding to disasters, like tropical cyclones, by providing information on their location and strength. It supports search-and-rescue efforts, assesses damage, and helps in resource allocation during emergencies.
• Environmental Monitoring: Geospatial intelligence monitors environmental factors like temperature, precipitation, and polar ice to anticipate disturbances. This data is crucial for preparing for events like heatwaves, which can impact human safety and security.
• Conflict and Security: Geospatial intelligence contributes to security by tracking and reporting on events like the Russian-Ukraine war through satellite imagery. Commercial satellite companies now provide vital public information, extending the role of geospatial intelligence in transparency.
• Transportation and Logistics: Geospatial intelligence enhances transportation, logistics, and global supply chains by utilizing GPS data. It provides real-time information on ship and cargo locations, improving efficiency and reliability.
• Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Planning: High-resolution imagery aids in the development of autonomous vehicles and smarter urban planning. It helps detect features on the ground, such as bicycle lanes and traffic direction, for safer and more efficient communities.
• Use in development, implementation and evaluation of digital twins: Digital twins are virtual representations of real systems – buildings or cities, for example – that mimic the systems’ characteristics and can be updated in real time to reflect changing conditions in the systems.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Which of the following is not an application of geospatial technology?

(a) Preparing digital twins

(b) Studying heat wave hazard of a region

(c) Studying the movement of asteroids

(d) Assisting navigation of an airplane

Answer