An airborne camera system for rapid mapping in case of disaster and mass events

Here we present an airborne optical camera system with an extended image processing unit onboard the aircraft and a radio data downlink. With all these components the system is well suited for rapid mapping applications in case of mass events and disaster. The image processing unit provides the possibility of direct orthorectification/georeferencing of the aerial images by the use of an IMU/GPS real-time navigation system without the use of ground control points. Furthermore thematic processing algorithms implemented to the image processing unit can analyse orthoimages e.g. for road traffic data content, people density and movement during mass events or DSM generation and 3D analysis directly onboard the aircraft. Resulting data and images can be transmitted to the ground via radio data downlink immediately. Road traffic data is used at the ground station in a traffic simulation for filling coverage gaps and traffic forecast. All in all, the system forms a powerful tool to operation controllers of security authorities and organizations in case of mass events or disasters