Suborbital measurements of wildfire smoke to advance multi-sensor coordination observations

Enable cooperative networks of observations from suborbital platforms that autonomously detect events such as wildfires with severe environmental impacts. This technology demonstration matures a capability for autonomous detection of wildfires.

Multi-instrument, multi-mission wildfire observing system using high-altitude balloon flights. The system includes a multi-band thermal imager for Fire Radiative Power (FRP) and two in situ smoke sensors. Using a high-bandwidth satellite datalink, the payload can stream FRP imagery and facilitate data-driven forecasting of smoke transport. These observations are highly interoperable with existing satellite measurements and support both active fire and post-fire planning and response.

The thermal imager (developed by Xiomas Technologies and known as TBIRD) is a high performance, low-cost, three-band thermal infrared camera system, suitable for deployment in unmanned airborne systems and CubeSats and capable of mapping thermal features on the surface of the Earth with a high revisit rate and high spatial resolution.

Summary for April 23, 2025 Flight Test
During this stratospheric balloon flight, the collaborative team of Harvard, Xiomas, and NASA-Ames successfully demonstrated an innovative approach to wildfire monitoring that integrates advanced remote sensing with targeted atmospheric measurements. The mission featured an optical particle counter (POPS) integrated via a novel platform-agnostic interface, facilitating seamless instrument deployment across diverse airborne platforms—from balloons to aircraft and potentially satellites. This collaborative effort not only streamlined integration but also enhanced reliability in the harsh stratospheric environment. By working together, the team validated core elements of a proposed multi-platform system in which multi-band thermal imaging could autonomously detect wildfire activity and cue in situ atmospheric instruments to characterize smoke particles at various altitudes. These combined measurements are crucial for improving understanding of how wildfire smoke affects optical corrections for satellite measurements and air quality, especially in light of the repeated, intense wildfire events of recent years. This flight advances technologies that will enhance NASA's ability to monitor, measure, and respond to wildfire events from the stratosphere, paving the way for future collaborative efforts on similar missions.

The system provides state-of-the-art horizontal resolution of a critical observable for understanding wildfire fuel combustion rate and supporting tactical rate of spread products. The combination of a non-contact smoke backscatter measurement with single particle optical sizing provides a unique capability for simultaneously constraining smoke particulate size and composition. The payload includes a next generation Iridium Certus satellite datalink to facilitate rapid high bandwidth data streaming and demonstrate the key functions of a multi-sensor rapid response system for wildfires.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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