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BIRD Bi-spectral Infrared Detection
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- Test of a new generation of infrared array sensors adapted to earth remote sensing objectives by means of small satellites
- Detection and scientific investigation of hot spots (forest fires, volcanic activities, burning oil wells or coal seams)
- Thematic on-board data processing, test of a neuronal network classificator in orbit
This unique combination of a stereo camera and two infrared cameras gives the opportunity to acquire:
- More precise information about leaf mass and photosynthesis for the early diagnosis of vegetation condition and changes
- Real time discrimination between smoke and water clouds
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| Characteristics |
| Spacecraft mass |
72 kg |
| Payload mass |
24 kg |
| Stabilization method |
3-axis stabilized |
| Instruments |
WAOSS + infrared sensors |
| Lifetime |
expected 1 year - now 3 years in orbit |
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BIRD
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 The micro-satellite on Bi-spectral Infrared Detection (BIRD) is a demonstrator
of innovative remote sensing technology dedicated to fire recognition by small satellites.
BIRD was developed, manufactured, and tested by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). It was piggy back launched together
with the Indian satellite TES and the ESA micro-satellite PROBA on 22 October 2001.
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Science Missions Objectives
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Vegetation and peat fires play a major role in the global
carbon cycle. CO2, CH4, and NO2 and aerosols – emitted during biomass combustion - perturb Earth’s
radiative budget. The amount of biomass combusted in a vegetation fire depends on fire intensity and fire
severity. The determination of fire radiative energy release (FRE) per unit area allows to characterise the
fire intensity, to assess the fire severity, and therefore, to distinguish also devastating fires from ecological useful
“cleaning” fires.
The experimental Bi-spectral InfraRed Detection (BIRD) satellite – the first dedicated fire recognition
mission - provided unique data which permit the retrieval of the FRE of selected vegetation fires. Measurements of selected fire scars,
observed by BIRD during the active fire phase in Siberia, Australia, Portugal and Africa in 2002 and 2003,
shall allow to determine how spectral reflectance characteristics change during vegetation recovery what
can be used as an indicator of fire severity.
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BIRD tripled it's lifetime
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 After BIRD extended it's planned lifetime
for over 1 year, the system experienced a total breakdown of the Inertial Measurement Unit on 14.02.2004.
Since the momentum wheels were severly damaged during this incident, it was then no longer
possible to maintain the attitude and orbit control.
To overcome this problem the Mission Management Team decided to develop a system to stabilize the satellite
by using the earth's magnetic fields in conjunction with on board Magnetic Coils. This is the first time
this method of control is successfully implemented.
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| ©Copyright 2004 LSE Space Engineering & Operations AG |
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