The first commercial CubeSat Constellation for early detection and real time monitoring of wildfires across the entire globe

Project Information

OroraTech

Grant agreement ID: 868216

DOI

10.3030/868216

Project closed

EC signature date 11 May 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 31 August 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ORORATECH GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OroraTech (The first commercial CubeSat Constellation for early detection and real time monitoring of wildfires across the entire globe)

Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2019-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

OroraTech is developing the first global real-time wildfire detection and monitoring service from space.
Wildfires are a natural phenomena, yet due to global warming, they are becoming more severe, causing billions of Euros in damages, thousands of fatalities and contributing the 10% of global CO2 emissions every year. OroraTech is tackling this issue by sending up a constellation of 100 satellites equipped with thermal infrared imagers to space, which will detect wildfires around the globe faster than ever before and monitor their spread. By combining own satellite data with existing sources into a customer-focused service, we will be able to notify and inform decision-makers and companies worldwide in real-time.

This feasibility study confirmed a substantial market opportunity to further develop this technology.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

OroraTech performed a preliminary design review, including an analysis of the technical activities needed to complete the innovation project, as well as a description of the technical engineering requirements (both from the user and the system perspective).

OroraTech´s customers were categorised into the B2G and B2B markets and the potential available market was assessed. OroraTech started conversations with several players from both public (European forest agencies, US Service Forest, etc.) and private (Munich Re, Descartes Lab, etc.) sectors to better adapt the wildfire-service to their needs. A Freedom to Operate analysis found it does not infringe existing patents or pending patent applications. Besides the ongoing patents related to the innovation, the company will apply for new patents based on the work resulting from the project.

From a financial point of view, OroraTech found on this project a profitable business that will reach its full potential upon deployment of the full 100-satellites constellation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

OroraTech is facing a blue ocean in the field of FireTech innovations with its unique business model and technology. The company was valued €4M in December 2018. Validating the satellites and getting an initial constellation in orbit will grow the company value to €30-50M by the end of 2021. Thus, the deployment of a 2-CubeSat constellation represents the key step to further complete the 100-CubeSat constellation and open access to the market, boosting company´s turnover and creating new jobs.

At full roll-out, OroraTech will allow to detect fire outbreak and progress, fire size, fire perimeter and active boundaries with the highest accuracy to date. On top of this, localised high-quality weather data will provide key information for wildfire prevention purposes and will be eventually extended to monitor other parameters such as global warming and severe weather phenomena.