Fire Locating And Responding Emergency Satellites
Every Second Counts
Wildfires don't wait. By the time you see the smoke, it's already too late.
FLARESat detects fires from space in 15 minutes; before they become catastrophes.
While you read this, fires are spreading...
Current systems detect fires 2-12 hours after ignition. By then, a small campfire becomes an unstoppable inferno.
Ground observers, lookout towers, and aircraft can't provide the continuous, global coverage needed to save lives and property.
Existing satellite infrastructure cannot support the frequency and resolution required to viably identify small fires.
Detection delay = Exponential destruction
Sources:
World Resources Institute (2024). Global Trends in Forest Fires
Economic data from reinsurance analysis (2015-2024) | Mortality data from World Resources Institute smoke exposure studies
Ground-based systems detect fires 2-12 hours after ignition, when containment becomes exponentially harder
Remote and wilderness areas lack monitoring infrastructure, leaving vast territories unprotected
Current satellites cannot see through clouds, smoke, and atmospheric conditions that obscure fire detection
Aircraft patrols and tower networks are expensive and can't provide continuous, global coverage
(Fire Locating And Responding Emergency Satellites)
Space-Based Fire Detection That Saves Lives and Property
FLARESat is a Walker Delta constellation of 500 satellites in Low Earth Orbit, providing continuous, real-time wildfire detection across the entire globe.
Early detection can reduce firefighting costs by 50-80% and save thousands of lives annually. FLARESat turns hours of delay into minutes of action.
FLARESat uses the Raptor Photonics Owl 1280, a space-qualified VIS-SWIR camera operating from 0.6 to 1.7 micrometers with a 1280 × 1024 InGaAs array, enabling detection of fires and heat sources through smoke, haze, and darkness where traditional infrared systems fail.
Each satellite carries a revolving three-lens turret optimized for SWIR imaging:
3-9 meters across
550km LEO
Penetrates smoke & haze
Multi-satellite + ML
Unlike NASA's FIRMS (MODIS/VIIRS) which detect at 375m-1km resolution, SWIR detects both reflected and emitted light, identifying smaller and cooler fires earlier. Machine learning algorithms process data to verify fires, and multiple satellites image the same location for higher confidence, greatly reducing false positives.
FLARESat provides real-time wildfire detection through subscription-based data services, custom analytics, and API access for governments, insurance firms, and environmental organizations.
Dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 launches with custom multi-payload dispensers optimize constellation deployment costs.
Cost Per Satellite
$1.1M - $3.4M
20-60 satellites per Falcon 9 launch
Total: ~$67M per launch
Traditional mid/long-wave infrared (NASA's MODIS, VIIRS) detect thermal emissions at 375m-1km resolution. SWIR detects both reflected and emitted light.
Download our comprehensive reports for detailed technical specifications and cost analysis
Watch our Walker Delta constellation detect and monitor wildfires in real-time