FireSat satellites use AI to detect early-stage wildfires from orbit

Google Research and MuonSpace are partnering with EarthFireAll on FireSat, a low-cost satellite constellation that uses AI to detect wildfires from orbit, according to a Google AI post on X. The satellites are trained on controlled burns and can spot fires as small as 5x5 meters, roughly the size of a car.

The first batch of operational satellites is already in orbit, and more are being added over the next few years. By 2030, about 50 satellites are planned to image Earth's surface every 20 minutes, the post says.