As reported by OroraTech, Spire Global, Inc., a provider of space-based data and analytics, has been awarded a concept study contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This contract supports the development of an advanced, space-based wildfire detection and monitoring system.
Spire will collaborate with OroraTech to create a low-cost, scalable satellite-based solution designed to enhance early detection capabilities for wildfires in the United States.
The planned system will use an orbital solution to monitor wildfire-prone regions and aims to improve rapid response and decision-making for fire managers and first responders.
The solution leverages Spire’s space systems expertise alongside OroraTech’s specialized thermal infrared sensing capabilities.
Under this contract, Spire and OroraTech will combine resources to design a system utilizing OroraTech’s network of thermal sensors, which currently operates on a global scale, delivering critical wildfire information to forest companies, fire departments, and conservation agencies.
OroraTech’s technology detects and tracks wildfires in near real-time, helping decision-makers manage wildfires more effectively.
“Wildfires are an escalating threat with far-reaching impacts on our environment and communities,” said Peter Platzer, CEO of Spire Global.
“Current monitoring methods fall short during peak periods of fire intensity.
“By leveraging the transformative power of space-based technology and our partnership with OroraTech, we aim to close this gap and provide a scalable, low-cost solution for early wildfire detection and monitoring.”
The collaboration will see OroraTech launch eight new wildfire-detecting satellites, named OTC-P1, by 2025.
This will establish the first dedicated constellation focused on wildfire tracking.
The system is expected to improve response times and enable more efficient wildfire monitoring in the United States.
OroraTech’s satellite-based thermal sensors aim to fill detection gaps in existing wildfire monitoring methods, addressing the projected increase in wildfire occurrences.
According to the UN Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal, the frequency and intensity of wildfires are expected to rise by 30% by 2050.
These satellites will enhance capabilities for thousands of agencies, from federal to local levels, by providing immediate and actionable data.
In 2023, Spire and OroraTech received a contract from the Canadian Space Agency to initiate a satellite constellation project aimed at tracking active wildfires across Canada.
This project laid the groundwork for their collaboration in designing wildfire monitoring technology, further supporting their expertise in thermal satellite sensing.
“Our orbital detection capabilities are incredibly valuable for quickly finding, tracking, and predicting the spread of wildfires and will play a crucial role in mitigating their impact,” said Thomas Grübler, Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of OroraTech.
“Together with Spire, this unique technology is prepared to close the detection gap and make actionable data available for thousands of federal, state, and local fire departments and agencies.”
Spire Global and OroraTech have been awarded a contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop an orbital wildfire detection system for the United States.
The partnership will combine Spire’s satellite operation expertise with OroraTech’s thermal infrared sensing technology to provide a low-cost, scalable solution for wildfire monitoring.
The companies will launch OroraTech’s OTC-P1 constellation by 2025, the first of its kind dedicated to wildfire monitoring.
This system, designed to improve detection and response times, follows a similar contract awarded by the Canadian Space Agency in 2023.
As wildfire frequency is projected to rise, the satellite-based system will aid fire departments and agencies by delivering real-time data to enhance wildfire management across the U.S.
