Close

Search

Search Menu
Photonics Media Photonics Marketplace Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics Vision Spectra Photonics Showcase Photonics ProdSpec Photonics Handbook

SWIR System Images Forest Fire from Orbit

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2014 — A satellite-mounted shortwave infrared (SWIR) system built by Exelis Geospatial Systems has been used to image a forest fire through a thick cloud of smoke.

The system includes a SWIR imager, sensors and telescope and operates aboard the DigitalGlobe WorldView-3 satellite, which was launched in August and is now in orbit 617 km above Earth. It is the first system of its kind on a high-resolution commercial satellite.


A false-color composite made from three of the eight SWIR bands (6, 3 and 1) that coincidentally give an orange color to the fire. Courtesy of Excelis.


Taken above the Happy Camp complex in California’s Klamath National Forest, the images show an active fire beneath a thick cloud of smoke. Hot spots are clearly visible even without being shown at full resolution.

“These images show how SWIR technology can directly benefit firefighters and help save lives,” said Rob Mitrevski, vice president and general manager of Exelis Geospatial Systems. “SWIR can remove some of the guesswork in determining where hot spots are to help firefighters plan their approach.”

For more information, visit www.digitalglobeblog.com.

Photonics.com
Sep 2014
AmericasBusinessimaginginfraredIRshortwave infraredspaceSWIR

back to top
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube RSS
©2023 Photonics Media, 100 West St., Pittsfield, MA, 01201 USA, [email protected]

Photonics Media, Laurin Publishing
x We deliver – right to your inbox. Subscribe FREE to our newsletters.
We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.