Ibadan, 29 June 2023. – Spire Global, Inc has signed an agreement with OroraTech to build, launch and operate an eight-satellite constellation dedicated to global temperature monitoring. Once operational, it will represent the first and largest constellation of satellites dedicated to tracking and monitoring wildfires.
Each spacecraft in the eight-satellite constellation, which will launch in mid-2024, will carry OroraTech’s thermal-infrared optical payload and data processing unit with on-orbit fire detection capability. Furthermore, the urgent data the satellites collect will downlink via Spire’s ground station network and deliver to OroraTech through an API. Subsequently, 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 that Spire designed, built, and operated for 15 months. Initially to be a technology demonstration, it exceeded expectations and is now serving as an active fire monitoring instrument for customers across the globe. Currently, the sensor is actively assisting SOPFEU, the fire agency of the province of Quebec, Canada. Earlier this month, another Spire satellite carrying payloads for OroraTech, successfully launched on SpaceX Transporter-8.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Axel Roenneke, OroraTech’s chief commercial officer, said, “Spire’s Space as a Service model 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, get real-time detection capability, continuous situational awareness as well as predictive insights to maintain control of wildfires.”
