BIRD - a technology demonstrator dedicated to the fire hazard detection and monitoring

Abstract

BIRD mission was launched in October 2001 and is an exemplary demonstrator for small satellite projects dedicated to the fire hazard detection and monitoring. The main payload is devoted to the observation of high temperature events and consists mainly of a bi-spectral infrared push broom scanner (with spectral bands at 3.4-4. 2µm and 8.5-9.3µm), a push broom imager for the visible and near infrared and a neural networks classification signal processor. The outstanding feature of the IR cameras is an advanced real time processing control allowing an autonomously adaptation of the dynamic range to scenarios containing high temperature events without any degradation of the sensor sensitivity to the background signal. The on board neural network classificator can support the on ground data processing by a pre-classification procedure. Currently BIRD has been used in the ESA project FUEGOSAT to demonstrate the utilisation of innovative space technologies for fire risk management.