Google’s FireSat, a satellite project designed to detect and track wildfires early, launched its first satellite this week. The mission aims to improve wildfire detection and response times, providing critical information to firefighters and emergency responders.
Wildfires are becoming increasingly common threats worldwide, with record-breaking burns in Australia, the Amazon, and the United States. Current satellite imagery often lacks resolution and frequency, making it challenging for authorities to detect small fires early.
Google Research and satellite manufacturer Muon Space collaborated on FireSat, which will detect fires as small as 5×5 meters within 20 minutes when the full constellation is live in the coming years. The project’s first satellite was funded by $13 million from Google.org and the Moore Foundation.
The team worked to overcome challenges such as differentiating between real fires and “noise” in the environment, developing a practical scientific solution that required massive amounts of testing and refining. FireSat will expand on existing wildfire response work, providing critical information for people seeking help through Google Search and Maps.
The launch marks an exciting step forward in mitigating wildfires and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With FireSat, satellite data will contribute to a global historical record of fire spread, enabling scientists to better model and understand wildfire behavior.
Source: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/inside-firesat-launch-muon-space