Google has partnered with a number of organizations including the Moore Foundation, the Environmental Defense Fund and satellite company Muon Space to develop a constellation of satellites that could make it easier to spot and fight wildfires.
The system will consist of 52 satellites using custom-developed sensors to detect fires as small as 16 feet by 16 feet anywhere in the world. The system will update the images every 20 minutes, and Google’s AI wildfire tools will help analyze the data. Not only will it be able to see fires as soon as they start, but it can also help firefighters battling active blazes determine where best to allocate resources and issue evacuations.
“It is a game-changer, especially as wildfires are becoming more extreme, more frequent and more dangerous for everyone,” said Kate Dargan Marquis, a senior wildfire adviser to the Moore Foundation. “Information like this will make a lifesaving difference for firefighters and communities around the globe.” The first three satellites are expected to launch next year, with the hopes of launching all 52 by 2030.
