FireSat is capable of multispectral imaging across the visible, near-infrared, short-, mid- and long-wave infrared bands simultaneously. The firm said the broad array of IR data is essential for detecting wildfires in their early stages, monitoring fire dynamics and tracking other thermal anomalies.
While this technology demonstration has proven successful, a further 50 or so satellites will ultimately need to be in orbit to complete the constellation. It will operate in low-Earth orbit with an observation swath width of 1,500km and a nadir ground sample distance of 50m.
The instrument’s resolution, sensitivity and large dynamic range enable it to detect small cool fires 5×5 metres while also imaging without saturation for hot, intense fires.
Google, which has provided $13m (£9.5m) to the initiative led by Earth Fire Alliance, said it will be able to “detect and track wildfires the size of a classroom within 20 minutes”. While each point on Earth will be observed every 20 minutes, key wildfire-prone regions will benefit from more frequent observations.
Muon Space is planning to launch the first block of three additional FireSat satellites in 2026, followed by a series of further launches that should see the constellation completed by 2030.