It’s no secret that COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on people, cities, and the global economy. The future remains as uncertain as next week’s lottery numbers, and scientists, technology pundits, and finance prophets race to circulate their predictions for what’s in store. Since pandemics occur roughly every 100 years, policymakers and governments need up-to-date information to help them understand what actions need to be taken when the world comes to a grinding halt.
 

Impact on Madrid

To gather insights on the virus’ impact, Near Space Labs collected high-resolution imagery of Madrid to see firsthand the current state of transportation hubs, factories, retail and tourist areas. Madrid, usually a vibrant capital city, has been struck hard by the coronavirus. The image below reveals the Museo Nacional del Prado, an area usually bustling with tourists, now a deserted city center. In light of the pandemic, Near Space Labs has made our imagery of Madrid free of charge to state, local and county officials.

Impact on Retail

The below is a parking lot of an IKEA superstore. With retail sales posting some of the worst declines on record these past few months, large swaths of the economy are still suspended into May. Our stratospheric vehicles allow us to deploy and capture daily, weekly and monthly imagery, enabling the comparison of patterns and variations in human mobility and real estate development.

Near Space Labs COVID-19 Response

Near Space Labs is a technology startup that brings actionable insights back down to Earth (literally!). We provide 30cm/pixel aerial imagery from 70k feet up with our proprietary balloon-based vehicles. Our flexible technology allows us to move quickly, balancing flight customization with rapid deployment in dense urban areas or miles of remote terrain. At NearSpace Labs our motivation is to deliver crucial data where it’s needed most. Due to COVID-19, we have made our recent imagery of Madrid free of charge to state, local and county officials. For inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nearspacelabs.com and visit our website at www.nearspacelabs.com.

• Note: Operations were in accordance with government safety and health regulations