NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory successfully deployed its AVIRIS-3 sensor in a mission to monitor and contain a wildfire near Mount Vernon, Alabama. The airborne imaging spectrometer captured infrared data on the fire, which was then transmitted to firefighters via satellite internet.
The AVIRIS-3 sensor provided critical information about the fire’s intensity and location, allowing firefighters to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. The sensor’s advanced technology enabled the immediate distribution of images, while the plane was still in flight, reducing processing time by days or weeks.
This mission was part of NASA’s 2025 FireSense Airborne Campaign, which aimed to study wildfires using advanced imaging technologies. The AVIRIS-3 sensor has been used for various research purposes since its development in the 1980s and continues to be a valuable tool for monitoring environmental phenomena.
The unique capabilities of the AVIRIS-3 sensor were showcased during this mission, as it captured data on the Castleberry Fire from an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet. The sensor’s multi-wavelength technology provided a comprehensive view of the fire, allowing researchers to better understand its dynamics and behavior.
Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26499-aviris-3-sensor-captures-data-on-wildfire-near-mount-vernon-alabama