A new era in wildfire detection is underway with the successful launch of the first satellite in the Google-funded FireSat constellation. The satellite, manufactured by Muon Space, was launched into orbit on SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission on March 14, the first phase of an ambitious global wildfire surveillance system.
A Game-Changer in Wildfire Detection
After it comes into full operation, the FireSat constellation will comprise more than 50 satellites, which will track wildfires globally in near real-time. The system will image virtually all of the Earth’s surface every 20 minutes, vastly enhancing existing wildfire detection capabilities.
For the time being, the initial constellation comprises three satellites, and the full constellation is due to become operational by 2026. Then, it will revisit every location on Earth twice daily, enabling authorities to react more promptly to developing fire dangers.
How FireSat Works?
Current methods of wildfire detection are based on aerial photography by planes or low-resolution satellite imaging, both of which are limited. Aerial monitoring is expensive, limiting how often it can be conducted, while traditional satellites do not possess the resolution and type required for accurate wildfire monitoring.
FireSat will overcome these limitations by featuring:
- Six-band multispectral infrared cameras specifically optimized for wildfire detection.
- Five-meter resolution imaging to accurately track fire locations and movement.
- Regular updates, provide vital information to firefighters in near real-time.
- With these technologies, emergency responders will be able to better anticipate fire behavior, deploy resources effectively, and reduce damage before wildfires get out of hand.
The Team Behind FireSat
The FireSat constellation is a collaborative project between Muon Space and the Earth Fire Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing wildfires. It has been backed by Google, in addition to funding from the Environmental Defense Fund, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Minderoo Foundation.
The release represents a breakthrough in applying space-based technology against climate-induced calamities, and the experts hope that it will change the dynamics of detecting and handling wildfires around the globe. As climate change keeps exacerbating the ferocity of wildfires, Solutions such as FireSat can prove to be essential in the prevention of life-threatening losses in the coming years.
