Fire Satellite

Space-Based Early Warning System

Overview

Early detection is critical in wildfire response—every minute matters. By the time ground-based detection or aerial reconnaissance identifies a fire, precious time for containment has been lost. This work package designs and validates a space-based sensing and communication constellation that provides persistent, wide-area surveillance for wildfire detection and serves as the communication backbone for the entire FireForce VI system. The satellite constellation acts as the vigilant eyes in the sky, detecting thermal anomalies before they become catastrophic fires, alerting Mission Control and dispatching Scout Drones via Fire Cloud.

The Challenge

Creating an effective space-based wildfire detection system requires:

• Continuous Coverage: 24/7 surveillance of high-risk areas without gaps
• Rapid Detection: Identifying fire signatures within minutes of ignition
• Low False Positives: Distinguishing actual fires from industrial heat sources, reflections, and other thermal anomalies
• Real-Time Communication: Low-latency data transmission to ground systems
• Orbital Optimization: Maximum coverage with minimal satellite assets
• Edge Computing: Onboard processing to reduce data bandwidth and improve response time
• Resilience: Fault tolerance and graceful degradation
• Cost Effectiveness: Affordable design for sustainable operations

Traditional satellite systems either lack the temporal resolution (too infrequent revisits) or spatial resolution (too coarse) for effective wildfire early warning.

Core Capabilities

1. Optimized Constellation Architecture

Orbital Design

• Sun-synchronous polar orbits for consistent lighting conditions
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for high-resolution imaging
• Strategic altitude selection (500-800 km) balancing coverage and resolution
• Optimal phasing for continuous coverage
• Constellation size optimization (minimum satellites for 24/7 coverage)
• Orbital plane configuration and spacing

Coverage Analysis

• Geographic coverage modeling for California and western states
• Revisit time optimization (<15 minutes for critical zones)
• Ground track analysis and swath width calculations
• Gap analysis and coverage redundancy
• Seasonal variation compensation
• Degraded mode operations planning

Constellation Sizing

• Mathematical modeling for minimum viable constellation
• Trade-off analysis: number of satellites vs. coverage guarantee
• Cost-benefit optimization
• Scaling strategy for expanded coverage
• Spare satellite positioning
• Launch strategy and deployment sequence

2. Advanced Sensor Payload

Multi-Spectral Imaging

• Thermal infrared sensors (LWIR 8-12 μm) for fire detection
• Short-wave infrared (SWIR 1.5-2.5 μm) for hot spot identification
• Visible spectrum cameras for context and verification
• Multi-spectral fusion for improved accuracy
• Dynamic range optimization for fire intensity measurement
• Pixel resolution: <100m for wide-area, <10m for targeted

Detection Capabilities

• Thermal anomaly detection algorithms
• Fire signature classification
• Smoke plume identification
• Fire intensity estimation
• Spread rate calculation
• Day and night operation

Sensor Performance

• Detection threshold: fires >0.1 hectare
• Temperature sensitivity: <1°C differential
• False positive rate: <5%
• Detection confidence scoring
• Atmospheric correction algorithms
• Cloud penetration capabilities (where possible)

3. Onboard Edge Computing

Real-Time Processing

• Thermal anomaly detection algorithms
• Machine learning-based fire classification
• False positive filtering (industrial sources, reflections)
• Confidence scoring and alert prioritization
• Region of interest extraction
• Automated image enhancement

Intelligent Data Management

• Smart data compression
• Priority-based transmission scheduling
• Onboard data storage and caching
• Automated quality assessment
• Selective downlink based on criticality
• Bandwidth optimization

Processing Architecture

• Radiation-hardened processors
• FPGA-based image processing
• Power-efficient neural network inference
• Redundant processing units
• Fault-tolerant computing
• Software-defined upgradability

4. Ground Network Infrastructure

Ground Station Network

• Geographic distribution for continuous contact
• High-bandwidth downlink capabilities (X-band or Ka-band)
• Low-latency command uplink
• Automated satellite tracking
• Weather-resilient reception
• Redundant station locations

Communication Architecture

• Direct satellite-to-ground links
• Inter-satellite links (optional) for extended coverage
• Multi-path routing for reliability
• Priority-based data transmission
• Encrypted communications
• Emergency broadcast capabilities

Data Processing Centers

• Real-time data ingestion and processing
• Integration with Fire Cloud infrastructure
• Alert generation and distribution
• Historical data archival
• Performance monitoring
• Operator consoles and displays

5. Orbital Mechanics Simulation

Mission Planning Tools

• Orbital propagation modeling
• Coverage prediction software
• Contact time calculations
• Link budget analysis
• Eclipse period planning
• Station-keeping requirements

Constellation Management

• Satellite health monitoring
• Orbital maintenance planning
• Collision avoidance
• Formation flying coordination
• End-of-life disposal planning
• Launch window optimization

Performance Validation

• Coverage verification
• Latency analysis
• Throughput validation
• Reliability assessment
• Failure mode testing
• Operational scenario simulation

Technical Architecture

Space Segment

• Satellites: Small-sat platform (100-500 kg class)
• Sensors: Multi-spectral imagers with onboard processing
• Computing: Radiation-hardened edge processors
• Communication: X-band downlink, S-band uplink
• Power: Solar panels + battery storage
• Attitude Control: 3-axis stabilization, precision pointing

Ground Segment

• Ground Stations: Distributed network (3-5 stations)
• Operations Center: 24/7 mission control
• Data Processing: High-performance computing cluster
• Archive: Long-term data storage and retrieval
• Network: Secure, high-bandwidth connectivity
• Displays: Operator workstations and visualization

Integration Layer

• APIs: RESTful interfaces for data access
• Messaging: Real-time event streaming to Fire Cloud
• Protocols: Standard satellite communication protocols
• Security: End-to-end encryption and authentication
• Monitoring: Telemetry and health tracking
• Coordination: Integration with drone and ground systems

Success Metrics

Metric	Target	Measurement Method
Coverage	24/7 over target regions	Orbital simulation validation
Detection Time	<30 seconds alert generation	End-to-end timing analysis
Availability	95% during peak season	System uptime tracking
False Positive Rate	<5%	Historical validation analysis
Revisit Time	<15 minutes critical zones	Coverage analysis
Latency	<2 minutes detection-to-ground	Communication timing

Technical Challenges

1. Coverage Optimization with Minimal Satellites

• Challenge: Achieving continuous 24/7 coverage of California (163,696 sq mi) with minimum number of satellites while ensuring no coverage gaps and acceptable revisit times
• Approach: Advanced orbital mechanics modeling, Walker constellation patterns, mathematical optimization algorithms, trade-off analysis between satellite count and performance
• Skills Required: Orbital mechanics, optimization algorithms, astrodynamics, mission design

2. Low-Latency Ground Communication

• Challenge: Minimizing time from fire detection to alert delivery (<30 seconds) while managing intermittent satellite visibility and limited ground station contact windows
• Approach: Strategic ground station placement, inter-satellite links for data relay, onboard processing to reduce data volume, priority-based transmission protocols
• Skills Required: RF communications, link budget analysis, network protocol design, real-time systems

3. Onboard Processing Constraints

• Challenge: Running sophisticated fire detection algorithms on radiation-hardened, power-constrained space hardware while maintaining detection accuracy and minimizing false positives
• Approach: Efficient algorithm design, FPGA implementation, neural network quantization, progressive processing pipeline, adaptive power management
• Skills Required: Embedded systems, computer vision, machine learning optimization, power management

4. Inter-Satellite Communication Protocols

• Challenge: Designing robust communication protocols between satellites for data relay, coordination, and fault tolerance in the space environment
• Approach: Space-qualified communication standards, mesh networking protocols, autonomous routing algorithms, error correction and recovery mechanisms
• Skills Required: Communication protocols, networking, distributed systems, fault tolerance

Team Structure

Required Roles

• Aerospace/Orbital Mechanics Engineer
• RF Communication Specialist
• Computer Vision/ML Expert
• Systems Analyst/Architect
• Optional: Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Deliverables

1. Constellation Design - Optimized orbital configuration for 24/7 coverage
2. Coverage Analysis Report - Validation of coverage requirements
3. Sensor Specification - Detailed sensor requirements and performance
4. Fire Detection Algorithms - Validated ML-based detection system
5. Ground Network Design - Ground station placement and architecture
6. Communication Protocol - Satellite-ground and inter-satellite protocols
7. Orbital Simulator - Software for mission planning and analysis
8. Integration Interfaces - APIs and data formats for Fire Cloud integration

Technology Stack Recommendations

• Orbital Mechanics: AGI STK (Systems Tool Kit), GMAT, Orekit
• Coverage Analysis: Custom Python/MATLAB tools
• Image Processing: OpenCV, scikit-image
• Machine Learning: TensorFlow Lite, ONNX Runtime
• Simulation: Python (Skyfield, Poliastro)
• Communication: GNU Radio, software-defined radio
• Visualization: Cesium.js, WebGL Earth
• Ground Software: Python, C++ for real-time processing

Integration Points

• Fire Cloud - Primary data consumer for alerts and imagery
• Mission Control - Receives alerts and imagery
• AI Fire Warden - Uses satellite data for threat assessment
• Digital Twin - Satellite data for simulation initialization
• System Integration - End-to-end validation

Operational Scenarios

Early Detection Scenario

1. Satellite sensor detects thermal anomaly
2. Onboard processing validates fire signature
3. Alert transmitted on next ground station pass (<2 min)
4. Ground system distributes to Fire Cloud
5. Mission Control notified (<30 sec total)
6. Drone fleet dispatched to location

Continuous Monitoring

• Constellation maintains persistent watch
• Repeated observations track fire growth
• Updated imagery every 10-15 minutes
• Spread rate calculations
• Resource allocation updates
• Evacuation route monitoring

Communication Relay

• Provides connectivity for remote drone operations
• Relays telemetry from distributed assets
• Broadcasts commands to fleet
• Emergency backup communication
• Beyond-line-of-sight operations

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain expertise in:

• Satellite constellation design
• Orbital mechanics and astrodynamics
• Space-based remote sensing
• Computer vision for Earth observation
• RF communication systems
• Mission planning and operations
• Systems engineering for space missions
• Trade-off analysis and optimization

Industry Relevance: This work package applies techniques used in commercial Earth observation (Planet Labs, Maxar), fire monitoring systems (NASA FIRMS), communication constellations (Starlink), and defense surveillance systems, creating practical experience in space systems engineering.

Validation Approach

Simulation-Based Validation

• Orbital mechanics simulation
• Coverage analysis verification
• Communication link modeling
• Detection algorithm testing with synthetic data

Historical Data Validation

• Algorithm testing on historical fire imagery
• False positive rate assessment
• Detection time analysis
• Performance benchmarking

Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing

• Sensor emulation
• Communication system testing
• Ground station validation
• End-to-end system integration

Strategic Value: The satellite constellation serves as the critical first line of defense, providing the early warning that enables FireForce VI to respond before small fires become catastrophic—turning the tide from reactive firefighting to proactive fire prevention.