Ibadan, 16 January 2025. – OroraTech successfully launched its latest fire-detection satellite, FOREST-3, onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission on 14 January from the Vanderberg Space Force Base. By incorporating miniaturized infrared sensors and advanced on-orbit processing, the satellite intends to deliver near-real-time wildfire alerts to customers across the globe.
OroraTech’s FOREST-3 satellite launch represents a critical advancement in European Earth Observation capacities. With the capacity to enhance efforts towards monitoring and understanding environmental phenomena, the satellite provides precise thermal imaging and real-time data, empowering users to track and mitigate the impacts of wildfires and climate change.
FOREST-3 integrates payload and platform into a streamlined system for AI-powered on-orbit processing. As the cornerstone of OroraTech’s future constellations, it also delivers real-time wildfire detection and monitoring while serving as a dynamic testbench to continuously improve algorithms. As a result, this achievement demonstrates the Munich-based team’s leadership in thermal-infrared technology and positions OroraTech and Europe at the forefront of orbital wildfire observation.
The satellite’s development received support from the German Space Agency at DLR via the InCubed program at the European Space Agency (ESA). Stemming from a common vision to utilize advanced space technologies to protect ecosystems, support global sustainability efforts, and drive scientific insights into Earth’s rapidly changing environment, the DLR provided key funding and the ESA gave technical and legal support during the conception, design, development, and launch of FOREST-3.
“We’re very grateful to the German Space Agency at DLR and the ESA for their support in helping us to deliver ultra-fast wildfire alerts and high-quality thermal data, advancing our efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change worldwide,” said Martin Langer, CEO & CTO of OroraTech. “As a leader in German space innovation, OroraTech is proud to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.”
