OroraTech successfully launched its latest fire-detection satellite, FOREST-3, onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 (TR-12) mission on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. By incorporating miniaturized infrared sensors and advanced on-orbit processing, the satellite will deliver near-real-time wildfire alerts to customers across the globe.
“We’re very grateful to the German Space Agency at DLR and the European Space Agency (ESA) for their support in helping us to deliver ultra-fast wildfire alerts and high-quality thermal data, advancing our efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change worldwide,” said Martin Langer, CEO & CTO of OroraTech. “As a leader in German space innovation, OroraTech is proud to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.”
The satellite’s development was supported by the German Space Agency at DLR via the InCubed programme at the European Space Agency (ESA). With the DLR providing key funding and ESA giving technical and legal support, both organizations were instrumental during the conception, design, development, and launch of FOREST-3.
“The new space sector in Germany is growing,” says Dr. Walther Pelzer, DLR Executive Board member and Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR. “Supporting young companies is very important to us. They are the engine that drives the space sector forward with new impetus and technologies and secures Germany’s international standing as a space location. I am therefore all the more pleased that the commercialization of Earth observation data has taken a major step forward with the launch of small satellites from two German start-ups.”
The launch of OroraTech’s FOREST-3 satellite represents a critical advancement in European Earth Observation capacities. Designed to enhance efforts to monitor and understand environmental phenomena, FOREST-3 provides precise thermal imaging and real-time data, empowering users to track and mitigate the impacts of wildfires and climate change. This collaboration stems from a common vision to utilize advanced space technologies to protect ecosystems, support global sustainability efforts, and drive scientific insights into Earth’s rapidly changing environment.
“The launch of OroraTech’s FOREST-3 represents an important step forward in advancing Europe’s Earth observation monitoring capacities related to wildfire monitoring and climate resilience.” commented Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at the European Space Agency. “By delivering an innovative system designed to enable new insights, this mission exemplifies ESA’s commitment to support industrial actors through programmes such as InCubed to develop technologies leading to viable, innovative services with commercial perspectives.”
FOREST-3, OroraTech’s most advanced thermal sensor and first fully internally developed satellite, integrates payload and platform into a streamlined system for AI-powered on-orbit processing. As the cornerstone of OroraTech’s future constellations, it delivers real-time wildfire detection and monitoring while serving as a dynamic testbench to continuously improve algorithms. This achievement showcases the Munich-based team’s leadership in thermal-infrared technology and positions OroraTech and Europe at the forefront of orbital wildfire observation.
