BRAZIL – Israeli satellite to secure Rio Olympics

JTA – An Israeli high-resolution imaging satellite will strengthen security during the Olympics and Paralympic Games taking place in Rio de Janeiro this summer. The announcement was made last week by Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann, who said the Eros-B satellite will allow very detailed inspections of the city during the sporting events in August and September, the G1 news portal reported Friday.

“This is an Israeli satellite at a low Earth orbit altitude capable of capturing high-resolution images of up to 50 centimeters [about 1 1/2 feet] in an area of 450 kilometers [some 31 miles], thus enabling the identification of objects, people, cars and goods,” Jungmann explained to the local media.

He added that the Eros-B satellite will be used on an experimental basis for six months as a security complement and, in the future, will support in border surveillance.

“Brazil has no need to worry because we have been in touch with the world’s best intelligence agencies and we will bring unique innovations to the Games,” Jungmann said. “We’ll have an international intelligence center to host 100 nations and their own intelligence centers, which is unprecedented.”

Another Israeli company, LiveU, will provide its cellular-based live video transmission technology to allow broadcasters to beam images from Brazil around the world in real time, with little latency and superb picture quality, the Times of Israel reported last month.

The Israeli app Moovit will guide tourists and local residents to the fastest and safest routes to and between competition venues at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, JTA reported in May. Moovit will provide real-time information in 35 languages on the fastest public transportation routes to local residents and visitors.

A fourth Israeli company will have a key role in the Games. International Security and Defense Systems, or ISDS, will provide services from consulting to security supply systems.