Unveiling the Heat: The Role of Thermal Imaging in Earth Observation

In the vast realm of Earth observation, thermal imaging emerges as a pivotal tool with applications ranging from monitoring droughts, wildfires, and urban heat islands to assessing agriculture, weather patterns, and climate shifts.

Although satellites provide a broad perspective, their limitations in resolution and focus have spurred the use of alternative platforms. Thermal data collected from sensors mounted on airplanes and, increasingly, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer significantly higher resolutions, reaching down to a few meters. However, aerial campaigns come with a hefty price tag and are often impractical for routine monitoring of diverse locations.

The centerpiece of thermal remote sensing lies in the derivation of Land Surface Temperature (LST), a key product when working with thermal data. LST provides a temperature reading of Earth's surface from the satellite's viewpoint, encompassing anything from the ground to the roof of a building. Unlike the air temperature reported in standard weather updates, LST algorithms involve converting raw thermal infrared sensor data to top-of-atmosphere radiance, brightness temperature, and integrating estimates of vegetation cover. Some methods even explore indirect modeling of LST using non-thermal satellite sensor measurements, as seen in products like VanderSat LST, which incorporates synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data.

Thermal Revolution Companies on the Horizon

In a dynamic landscape where innovation knows no bounds, several thermal satellite startups are making waves, securing funding rounds and aiming to revolutionize thermal imaging capabilities via satellite. These companies share a common vision of deploying small-sat constellations with thermal imaging sensors, coupled with analytics services tailored to their specific domains.

1. Albedo (Austin, Texas, USA): Albedo concentrates on providing high-quality thermal imagery. As of December 2023, Albedo has successfully secured a noteworthy $87.4 million in funding, indicating strong support for its vision and technological advancements.
2. OroraTech (Munich, Germany): OroraTech specializes in wildfire detection and monitoring using thermal imaging. Notably, OroraTech has raised €23.4 million in funding by December 2023, underscoring the increasing importance of thermal imaging in mitigating environmental risks, particularly in the context of wildfires.
3. SatVu (London, UK): SatVu, based in London, focuses on leveraging thermal imaging data for various applications. By December 2023, SatVu has secured an impressive ￡31.3 million in funding, demonstrating confidence in its potential contributions to the field.
4. Hydrosat (Washington DC, USA): Hydrosat initially concentrates on thermal imaging applications in agriculture. Having raised $38.6 million by December 2023, Hydrosat highlights the role of thermal imaging in optimizing agricultural practices and resource management.
5. constellr (Freiburg, Germany): Вedicated to providing global daily monitoring of Land Surface Temperature, with a specific emphasis on agricultural applications. As of December 2023, constellr has secured €33.5 million in funding, showcasing its commitment to advancing thermal applications in various sectors.

As these startups pave the way for a thermal revolution in Earth observation, the future holds exciting prospects for high-resolution thermal imaging, offering unprecedented insights into our dynamic planet's thermal landscape.

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