The Ontario-based company will again be working with Spire Global Canada, a subsidiary of Spire Global, which won the $51 million (Can$72 million) contract from the Canadian Space Agency.
Air quality
The WildFireSat mission is actually a joint initiative by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service (CFS) and Canadian Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
It aims to provide more data on wildfire behaviour, nad smoke and air quality. This is a significant gap in current satellite coverage, says OrorTech. By focusing on the late afternoon “peak burn period” when wildfires are most intense, WildFireSat should improve decision-making for wildfire response. Basically, reduce losses, and help protect communities.
Spire
In terms of the contract split, Spire will design and develop the dedicated satellite constellation. OroraTech will develop the wildfire detection payloads deployed on the satellites. It will also build the data handling and processing system for the WildFireSat mission.
These payloads have already provided data during previous Canadian wildfire emergencies, says the compnay. For example, providing detection services to Quebec’s wildfire authority, Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).
“Spire and OroraTech are pleased to support the Government of Canada with our proven infrared camera technology and data processing architecture, providing exceptional imagers for wildfire detection, management, and response,” said Martin Langer, CEO & CTO of OroraTech, right.
“We are particularly proud that this will help Indigenous communities across Canada to respond effectively to these natural threats, safeguarding their communities and way of life.”
WildFireSat
The WildFireSat constellation is planned for launch in 2029 and will be operated by the CSA for a minimum of five years.
The initial part of the mission began in 2023, with Spire Global winning a contract by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to demonstrate wildfire detection methods. It teamed up with OroraTech.
The two firms have also previously worked together on the successful launch of OroraTech’s wildfire detection and monitoring mission. This was on a Spire satellite in 2022.
Canada spends roughly Can$1 billion each year on fighting wildfires. This doesn’t include wider indirect costs, such as property damage, evacuations, health expenses, and economic losses.
“Detecting wildfires is one of the most impactful satellite capabilities, offering significant benefits for public safety, environmental health, and the economy,” said Theresa Condor, CEO of Spire Global.
“We’re proud to work with the Government of Canada, which is paving the way in developing a next-generation wildfire monitoring system to protect its citizens and communities.”
Image: OroraTech
See also: OroraTech signs Spire for eight-satellite wildfire detection constellation
