Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Master of Surveying (Remote Sensing)
Abstract
The purpose of the FUEGO satellites program is to design and develop a spatial system that can detect and identify forest fires at the very least possible time.
Research has shown that a system of low Earth orbit satellites (LEO) is the best solution for users’ demands. This directs us to the use of small-satellite structure’s service such as INTA-MINISAT, Particularly due to its relatively low technical complexity and cost.
The system consists of a set of 12 Walker satellites system (constellation) with a 700-kilometer orbit altitude and an orbit inclination angle of 47.5 degree with a minimum time distance between repetitions in imaging as well as suitable power of spatial resolution. Its load is equipped with cameras capable of imaging in the mid-infrared band to identify fires in forests, complemented with cameras in the near-infrared (NIR), visible (VIS) and thermal infrared (TIR) bands to increase the resolution and identification of fires and to detect unrealistic warnings.
The imaging geometry of this satellite is using the Pushbroom method. Using a controllable mirror, it can be maneuvered in the transverse direction of its path (Pitch) to increase the breadth of coverage.