OroraTech and Spire Partner on Satellites to Track and Monitor Wildfires

FOREST-1, the first satellite launched for OroraTech, a 6U satellite, which is the same size of the satellites that will be developed for OroraTech’s 8-satellite constellation Source: Spire

OroraTech is expanding its partnership with Spire Global to build, launch, and operate an eight-satellite constellation dedicated to global temperature monitoring. The two companies announced the partnership on June 28. Once operational, it will represent one of the first and largest constellation of satellites dedicated to tracking and monitoring wildfires.

Each spacecraft in the eight-satellite constellation, which will be launched in mid-2024, will carry OroraTech’s proprietary thermal-infrared optical payload and data processing unit with on-orbit fire detection capability. The data collected by the satellites will be downlinked via Spire’s ground station network and delivered to OroraTech through an API. The satellites will help identify and monitor areas at risk of wildfires as well as enable early detection of wildfire hot spots, which are increasing rapidly as a result of climate change.

OroraTech has successfully operated a precursor sensor in orbit on a satellite designed, built and operated by Spire for 15 months. Initially intended as a technology demonstration, it exceeded expectations and is now serving as an active fire monitoring instrument. Currently, the sensor is actively assisting SOPFEU, the fire agency of the province of Quebec, Canada.

“Spire’s Space as a Service model, which is designed to rapidly bring new customers like ourselves to the vantage point of space within a few months of contract signature, proved invaluable in moving us quickly towards our goal. By continuously monitoring the Earth’s temperature, customers, like fire-fighting agencies, forestry and utility companies, are provided with real-time detection capability, continuous situational awareness as well as predictive insights to maintain control of wildfires,” Dr. Axel Roenneke, chief commercial officer of OroraTech said in a statement.