Australia is strengthening its bushfire monitoring capabilities through a growing ecosystem of satellite technologies, artificial intelligence and Earth observation research. Over the past five years, the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has coordinated projects aimed at improving how fires are detected, analysed and predicted from space. The work builds on existing national systems while exploring new approaches such as onboard satellite processing, commercial constellations and integrated modelling to support emergency management agencies.
According to the original SmartSat CRC research overview, the programme focuses on enhancing the tools already used by fire authorities rather than replacing them. The goal is to reduce detection delays, expand data sources and improve predictive insight using space-based technologies.
Enhancing the National Satellite Fire Monitoring System
Australia’s operational backbone for satellite-based fire monitoring is the Digital Earth Australia (DEA) Hotspots platform, managed by Geoscience Australia. The platform has been used by emergency services for more than two decades and is embedded in incident management workflows across all states and territories.
DEA Hotspots combines data from several satellite sources. Japan’s Himawari-9 geostationary satellite provides updates roughly every ten minutes, while polar-orbiting satellites such as NASA’s Aqua (MODIS) and the Suomi-NPP, NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 missions (VIIRS) deliver higher-resolution observations several times per day. These combined data streams enable authorities to identify potential fire activity and monitor events across large and remote areas.
SmartSat-supported research has focused on improving how these observations are processed and interpreted. Rather than relying on fixed national thresholds, newer algorithms use dynamic calibration based on regional environmental conditions and recent temperature history. This approach helps reduce false detections and improves reliability across Australia’s diverse landscapes.
Expanding Satellite Data Sources for Fire Detection
The satellite observation environment is changing rapidly. Commercial thermal infrared constellations are being launched to monitor wildfire activity more frequently than traditional platforms. Systems such as OroraTech’s CubeSat constellation and the FireSat programme aim to provide global revisit times of less than 30 minutes, significantly improving coverage during peak fire risk periods.
These developments complement national research programmes designed to process and integrate the increasing volume of satellite data. Australian researchers are developing algorithms, validation methods and integration frameworks to ensure that emerging commercial data streams can be used effectively by emergency services.
This broader capability development aligns with national efforts to expand Australia’s space sector workforce and technical expertise, including initiatives focused on building next-generation space skills and technology capability.
Onboard Artificial Intelligence for Faster Fire Alerts
A major focus of the SmartSat research portfolio is reducing the time between satellite observation and actionable alerts. Traditional approaches rely on ground-based processing after satellite data is transmitted to Earth, which can introduce delays.
Several projects led by Australian universities have explored running fire detection models directly on satellites. Early studies demonstrated that smoke detection algorithms could operate within the power and computing constraints of CubeSat onboard processors. Modelling suggested that this approach could reduce alert latency to under 14 minutes compared with the 20–30 minutes typical of conventional ground-processing pipelines.
Further work validated these models using engineering hardware before preparing for in-orbit testing. After the Kanyini satellite experienced a mission failure in early 2025, researchers adapted the programme by working with Loft Orbital’s YAM‑6 satellite. The platform enables third-party algorithms to be deployed directly in orbit, allowing the research teams to continue testing AI-enabled wildfire detection in real conditions.
“This demonstration is a vital step; It allows us to refine our detection models and prove the technical feasibility of generating low-latency alerts for fire agencies and emergency services.” — Prof Andy Koronios, CEO, SmartSat CRC
Building a Complete Bushfire Intelligence Stack
Beyond early detection, the broader research portfolio covers the full lifecycle of bushfire intelligence. Projects examine fuel moisture monitoring, predictive fire spread modelling, post-fire damage assessment and resilient communications systems for emergency responders.
For example, synthetic aperture radar research enables monitoring in conditions where smoke or cloud cover obscures optical satellite imagery. Other studies integrate satellite-derived fuel data with traditional ecological knowledge to improve regional risk assessments. Machine learning models trained on historical satellite observations are also being developed to forecast fire behaviour and estimate potential damage.
Post-fire analysis is another priority. Data fusion techniques combine information from multiple satellite platforms to assess burn severity and track vegetation recovery over time.
International Collaboration and Emerging Global Standards
Australian research teams are also contributing to international initiatives focused on space-based wildfire monitoring. Two teams linked to SmartSat CRC projects have reached the finals of the XPRIZE Wildfire Space-Based Detection and Intelligence competition, which aims to demonstrate systems capable of detecting fires rapidly across state-scale regions.
The competition requires participants to detect active fires within one minute and characterise them within ten minutes. The challenge reflects a growing global effort to develop faster, data-driven wildfire intelligence systems.
Strengthening National Disaster Intelligence Infrastructure
As SmartSat CRC’s initial Commonwealth funding cycle concludes, new institutional structures are emerging to continue the work. The Australian Space Innovation Institute (ASII), established in September 2025, aims to bridge the gap between research outcomes and operational deployment.
The institute focuses on integrating satellite data, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure into disaster management systems. Its role includes connecting researchers with emergency agencies, embedding new data streams into existing operational platforms and enabling cross-agency data sharing. More detail on the initiative is outlined in Australia’s Space Innovation Institute for national resilience.
In the coming years, Australian emergency managers are expected to access a significantly richer satellite data environment. This may include commercial thermal infrared constellations integrated into national platforms, AI-enabled onboard detection systems and predictive modelling tools capable of supporting operational decision-making.
Collectively, these developments demonstrate how satellite systems, advanced analytics and collaborative research can strengthen disaster resilience. By linking space technology with operational emergency management systems, Australia is building a more responsive and data-driven approach to bushfire intelligence.
