Canadian Space Agency Awards WildfireSat Contract
exactEarth Ltd. Receiving $72 Million Award for EO Constellation
Following an open competitive procurement process, exactEarth Ltd., a subsidiary of Spire Global Canada, was awarded a contract of $72 million for the design of Canada's WildFireSat constellation. The contract has since been assigned to Spire Global Canada following a corporate acquisition.
“Through investments in WildFireSat, we are using innovative space capabilities to improve Canada's resilience in the face of today's environmental challenges."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Government of Canada
The award was announced by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Canada's boreal forest is vast and experiences some of the world's largest and most intense wildfires. On average, about 8,000 wildfires burn over 2.1 million hectares of forest every year, representing a territory equivalent to almost half the size of Nova Scotia. About $1 billion is spent each year in Canada to combat wildfires. The Government of Canada recognizes this growing threat and remains committed to protecting its communities, natural resources, and wildlife habitats.
Satellite Earth observation is the only way to provide daily data on all active wildfires spanning the entire Canadian territory. WildFireSat will consist of seven microsatellites tailored to monitor active wildfires across Canada on a daily basis. This mission will provide essential data to fire managers and other responsible authorities. This data will enable them to track fire behaviour, identify high-risk wildfires, and make informed decisions to better protect Canadians, especially those in remote and northern communities. WildFireSat data will also be used in air quality forecasts, which will give Canadians information to help protect themselves from wildfire smoke.
"Satellites offer valuable information that can change our lives for the better here on Earth. Through investments in WildFireSat, we are using innovative space capabilities to improve Canada's resilience in the face of today's environmental challenges," said The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. "Thanks to this mission, Canada is strengthening its ability to monitor and manage wildfires, which are a growing risk for our country."
"Canadians – like our friends across the southern border – are experiencing more intense and frequent wildfires than ever before. WildFireSat will provide firefighters across the country with better data to help defend and protect Canadians, reduce environmental and economic losses, and improve forecasting to allow residents and local officials to take precautions," said The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "The WildFireSat mission will also reinforce Canada's position as a global leader in wildfire management and research."
WildFireSat will utilize advanced infrared sensors to capture thermal images that can be used to provide unprecedented fire intelligence to responsible authorities to inform decision-making and help assess wildfire intensity and spread. Investments in WildFireSat will strengthen Canada's ability to build, test, and assemble small satellites, and support the ongoing growth and diversification of the Canadian space sector.