Australian Scientists Aim to Launch Satellite to Track Eucalypt Forest Flammability

September 27, 2026 - 02:12

Australian researchers have developed new technology that can measure the flammability of eucalypt forests from space. The project could become the country's first satellite mission dedicated to Earth observation, but it depends on securing the necessary funding.

The technology is designed to detect moisture levels and chemical compounds in vegetation that indicate how easily a forest might catch fire. Eucalypts are among the most fire-prone trees in the world, and Australia has seen devastating bushfires in recent years. Having a satellite dedicated to monitoring these forests could give fire agencies earlier warnings and better data for planning controlled burns.

The team behind the project says the instruments have already been tested on the ground and in aircraft. The next step is to place them on a satellite in low Earth orbit. If the funding comes through, the mission would provide regular updates on forest conditions across large areas, including remote regions that are hard to reach by other means.

Supporters argue that the project would also build local space industry skills and reduce reliance on overseas data. The cost of the mission is estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Scientists are now approaching government agencies and private investors to close the funding gap. If successful, the satellite could be launched within three to four years.