Bronco Ember is an Autonomous Observation Unit that simultaneously images the Earth from varying perspectives and provides fire intelligence in Near Real Time (NRT). This capability can then deliver a significantly enhanced awareness of wildfire effects and trends. We intend to introduce this capability to existing imaging platforms and allow autonomous imaging capabilities to deliver select high priority information to fire managers in existing geospatial intelligence domains. Our team intends to introduce a modular instrument to enable edge computing capabilities for current natural disaster reconnaissance platforms. Utilizing a shortwave infrared imager, Bronco Ember operates by using an artificial intelligence computer vision model trained on remote sensing NASA datasets to better spot fires (during fire), categorize its spread, intensity, and deliver (post fire) damage insights, initiated by NASA’s FIRMS fire product.

Remote sensing has been plagued with disproportionally inaccessible insight developing technologies that have served nation states for decades. As the negative effects of Climate Change continue to grow more severe, demand increases for further investment into technologies that explicitly support wildfire mitigation. Bronco Ember proposes the integration of a unique edge computer and imaging sensor combination. This integration shall be deployed on various imaging platforms such as small/large fixed or rotary wing aircraft. It autonomously searches for, locates, categorizes, and delivers NRT surveillance for wildfires as they occur. Utilizing computer vision, Bronco Ember can autonomously survey large swaths of land, compare imaging collection results to NASA’s existing fire data sets which decreases the required dedicated personnel to manage imager controls, perform image analysis, and develop insights in NRT. Bronco Space and its ICON Laboratory, a Minority Serving Institution and a student group based out of California Polytechnic University Pomona with the primary objective of making space more accessible. Bronco Space has successfully launched Bronco Ember twice through NASA’s Flight Opportunities program and launched four CubeSat missions into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) within the last 3 years. Furthermore, the laboratory has made great strides in developing low-cost CubeSat satellite kits, which initially disseminated to universities around the country. These institutions include Portland State University, Stanford, Columbia, Northeastern and more with seedling programs starting across the nation. Moreover, the low-cost kits have started CubeSat clubs at two high schools with one set to launch their CubeSat this summer. Through involving students of various disciplines such as biology and geospatial sciences, Bronco Space has been able to leverage a unique perspective about space research to successfully enable more students to contribute to space missions and ultimately make space more accessible to everyone.