“Distinguishing between actual fires and random environmental ‘noise’ was a challenge,” Chris notes. “We had to establish a threshold between legitimate fires and issues like sensor malfunctions or pixel misalignments.” Creating a practical scientific solution demanded extensive testing and refinement, including loading a plane with sensors to gauge their progress. “The first time we utilized the plane, one of our team members lit a barbecue and a fire pit in his backyard, allowing us to fly the plane over and test it,” says Erica Brand, one of the project managers for FireSat. “And the sensors successfully detected it.”

Preparing for Launch — and the Future

At the time of these interviews, the first FireSat satellite had just arrived at the SpaceX launch site.

And just a day ago, members of the Google Research team witnessed the rocket — and the satellite — take to the skies. “Since launch dates are subject to change, we decided to meet and drive instead of booking a flight,” Erica explains. “We referred to it as ‘the minivan caravan plan.'” While excited to see their efforts become a reality, they are more eager to observe how firefighters and emergency responders utilize FireSat to respond more swiftly and effectively.

On a larger scale, FireSat will contribute to advancing the fundamental science of wildfires. The satellite data will add to a global historical record of fire spread, enabling scientists to better model and understand wildfire behavior. “FireSat is more than just an emergency response tool,” says Juliet. “It’s also an invaluable instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It’s remarkable that the constellation contributes to mitigating climate change — while also responding to it.”