It was only three months after launching the first Firesat Protoflight satellite from Muon Space, Before the first infrared pictures were released, obtained from orbit. Firesat became the first apparatus in the planned constellation from above 50 satellites, which company plans to use to monitor and detect forest fires on a global scale.
This prototype is brought to low Earth orbit 14 March 2025 year from the US Space Force base Vandenberg as part of the SpaceX Transporter-13 mission. The main task of FireSat is to scan the Earth's surface using a multispectral infrared sensor, capable of detecting characteristic thermal signatures, which may indicate the presence of a fire.
The first pictures confirm the correct operation of the infrared sensors and the high quality of the collected data. Shooting is carried out immediately in six spectral bands: apparently, near infrared, and also in short-, average- and long-wave IR ranges. This approach allows you to effectively filter false signals and detect even those fires, whose temperature is relatively low.
It is planned, that in 2026 Muon Space will launch three more FireSat satellites this year, and the full deployment of the system will be completed by 2030 year. Provided full functioning, this satellite group will be able to scan the entire surface of the Earth every 20 minutes, with increased frequency - for regions with a high risk of fires.
The initiative to create FireSat was the result of cooperation between Muon Space and the non-governmental organization Earth Fire Alliance. The main goal is to provide quality satellite data for emergency services, local communities and state structures, which will allow better risk assessment and coordination of measures to eliminate the consequences of fires.
Already the first FireSat images recorded thermal signatures both in populated areas, as well as in sparsely populated areas, in particular the runway of the airport in Sydney, Australia. In addition, the device took pictures of active objects in remote regions - among them the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii and the Sarir oil and gas complex in Libya, where gas flares were discovered.
FireSat is able to recognize fire centers with a size of 5 meters and cover the observation area up to 1500 km. Its sensors provide high accuracy and reliability of detection thanks to a specialized approach to the design of satellites and instruments, optimized for a specific mission.
Source: https://www.space.com