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Completed TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
The Bronco Ember: Autonomous Nascent Wildfire Detection and Prevention System aims to provide autonomous point-of-interest (POI) detection and tracking of nascent wildfires by potentially improving upon the positional accuracy of current geolocation technologies. This project will combine the use of a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera with artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide potentially faster and more accurate aerial detection of fires, natural disasters, or other planetary science observations (e.g., methane plumes on Enceladus or ejecta from lunar impacts).
Problem Statement Current geolocation lacks the positional accuracy needed for aerial detection of nascent fires. This geolocation algorithm aims to provide higher precision location determination for nascent wildfire detection. This improved precision could prove beneficial to not only wildfire detection but Earth observation and planetary research missions as well. Improved geolocation positional accuracy could benefit current and future sensing technologies.
Technology Maturation The gimbal mechanism is designed to provide full mobility and continuous tracking of a target within a 180° field of view. This project aims to advance this innovation’s technology readiness level (TRL) to TRL 6 by the time of launch.
Summary of Flight Test
2022-07-08 The Bronco Ember team has successfully conceptualized, designed, manufactured, and deployed a working autonomous nascent wildfire observation system on-board a Raven zero-pressure balloon within an accelerated 10-month period. The system test provided validity to the technology concept, further calibration of sensors and software is planned for continued development. We are very grateful to all the help provided to us by the NASA Flight Opportunities program, the NASA Small Spacecraft Technology program, our university Cal Poly Pomona, and our faculty advisor Professor Tarek Elsharhawy, who without his guidance and sponsorship we would not have achieved these magnificent feats.
2023-05-24 During this flight campaign, the Bronco Ember team was able to validate key performance metrics of the system.
The test flight proved the durability and sustainability of the system over longer duration deployments. The mission also provides valuable data for the tuning and improvement of the AI powered analytics onboard.
This project aims to provide autonomous point-of-interest (POI) detection and tracking of nascent wildfires by improving upon the positional accuracy of current geolocation technologies. This project will combine the use of a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera with artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide potentially faster and more accurate aerial detection of fires, natural disasters, or other planetary science observations (e.g., methane plumes on Enceladus or ejecta from lunar impacts).
This has the potential to benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, other government agencies (e.g., forest management and wildfire prevention), Earth science and planetary researchers, and the nation.
Future Customers
- Detection and tracking of wildfires and other terrestrial/planetary observations
- Improved geolocation systems
- Government forest management and wildfire prevention agencies
- Earth science and planetary researchers
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