NASA Helps Fight Fires

NASA is reportedly joining forces with the American Forest Service and other collaborators to enhance communication abilities for firefighters battling wild-land fires (Friesen, 2024). By using high-altitude balloon systems, this novel effort seeks to address the problems posed by the rugged and remote locations where wildfires often happen. Wild-land fires commonly burn in places where conventional cellular service is nonexistent or unreliable. This absence of connectivity eliminates real-time communication between the ground firefighters and their command posts, which poses safety risks and reduces operational effectiveness. Recognizing this significant challenge, NASA and its partners tested the STRATO (Strategic Tactical Radio and Tactical Over watch) technology to bridge the communication gap. Sponsored by NASA’s Earth Science Division Airborne Science Programme and the Space Technology Mission Directorate Flight Opportunities programme, STRATO leverages experience from NASA’s Ames Research Center, the American Forest Service, high-altitude balloon firm Aerostar, and Motorola. According to Don Sullivan, principal investigator for STRATO at NASA Ames, “This project uses NASA expertise and experience to address real issues. We do many experimental, forward-thinking tasks, but this is operational and can make a quick effect” (Friesen, 2024).

High-Altitude Solutions

Meanwhile, Aerostar’s Thunderhead high-altitude balloon technology forms the STRATO technology backbone. Working at altitudes of 50,000 ft or higher, the balloons can stay airborne for months while maintaining a constant position over places of need. In the technology's first test flight over the West Mountain Complex fires in Idaho in August 2024, a balloon housed with visual and infrared cameras, cellular LTE transmitters, and broadband communication systems showed its abilities. The technology offered cell coverage for a 20-mile radius while improving situational and communication awareness (Friesen, 2024). Utilizing a Silvus broadband wireless system and SpaceX Starlink satellite, the balloons shared data to fire incident command posts. Also, with real-time location tracking via the TAK (Tactical Awareness Kit) app, ground crews got crucial information on fire movement and resource deployment, thereby enhancing coordination and safety. More so, the onboard infrared and visual cameras provided managers with bird’s-eye view of the fires and enabled advanced tracking and situational awareness (Friesen, 2024). Lastly, by putting the transmitter on a gimbal, they ensured adjustable cell coverage as firefighting teams moved in the terrain.

Future Innovations

However, the achievement of the STRATO system’s initial testing is making the way for more advancements. The team intends to optimize the balloon deployment as a constellation, strategically putting them to leverage coverage and counter stratospheric airflow problems. This method can ensure easier communication by permitting balloons to function as replacements for one another as they go along airflow paths. Also, the STRATO team aims to examine new applications for the system while possibly adapting it to other NASA wild-land fire efforts. By constantly refining and increasing the technology’s abilities, the team aims to offer greater support for future fire sessions. As preparations for more testing continue, the STRATO effort highlights NASA’s quest to address real-world problems. According to Sullivan, “Firefighters work hard saving properties and lives over long days. I feel honored to do what we could to make their tasks better and safer” (Friesen, 2024). By integrating collaborative expertise with cutting-edge technology, this project promises to transform firefighting efforts and ensures they remain connected, informed, and safe at work.

Reference

Friesen, T. (2024). NASA and Forest Service Use Balloon to Help Firefighters Communicate. NASA. Available at- https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/nasa-and-forest-service-use-balloon-to-help-firefighters-communicate/

(Assessed: 18 Nov 2024)