European Space Agency to use AI and satellites for wildfire detection

The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to develop a satellite constellation designed to detect forest fires from space using artificial intelligence. This initiative is part of the ‘European Resilience from Space’ program, which aims to strengthen European capabilities for disaster surveillance and response.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher explained that the system would utilize infrared sensors to monitor areas, providing updated images approximately every 20 to 30 minutes. If a satellite detects a potential fire, onboard artificial intelligence would analyze the image immediately. Upon confirmation, the AI could automatically trigger other satellites to observe the specific area in greater detail.

The program currently has approximately 1.2 billion euros in funding, though Aschbacher noted that requests for the program have exceeded available funds. The goal is to create a highly reactive and rapid surveillance capacity by performing data processing directly in space.