Google Research and nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance announced that three new FireSat satellites have successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, expanding a purpose-built constellation designed to detect wildfires in near real time. The new satellites build on a pilot FireSat spacecraft launched in 2025, which demonstrated the ability to spot early-stage fires as small as 5×5 meters that were invisible to existing satellite systems.
FireSat is designed specifically for wildfire detection and monitoring, using high‑resolution multispectral infrared sensors and AI to identify fires anywhere on Earth. When the full constellation is operational, the system is expected to provide global coverage with updates every 20 minutes or less, offering firefighting agencies faster detection and improved situational awareness. Google and its partners use AI to compare each new image against thousands of previous observations, factoring in local weather and other conditions to reliably determine whether a fire is present.
The program is led by Earth Fire Alliance, with satellites built and operated by space systems company Muon Space and AI contributions from Google Research. Funding for the early phase of the constellation includes more than $15 million from Google.org to support the deployment of the initial satellites. Over time, the FireSat network is expected to grow to more than 50 satellites, creating a unique wildfire dataset to support both operational response and scientific research on fire behavior and climate impacts.
KEY QUOTES:
“Three new FireSat satellites successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This expands the FireSat program, a global initiative led by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance (EFA) to create an unprecedented wildfire dataset. Google Research has teamed up with leaders in the fire community, including EFA and satellite manufacturer Muon Space, to create this purpose-built constellation designed to provide the continuous coverage fire agencies need to detect wildfires before they spread.”
Christopher Van Arsdale of Google
