Receiving IDR 42 Billion Grant From NASA, Urban Sky Will Develop Forest Fire Monitoring Equipment

Illustration of the fire monitoring system in hot air balloons (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Startup Urban Sky won an award in the form of a grant from NASA on Wednesday, June 26. From the grant provided, the company will create a forest fire monitoring system. This contract was awarded directly by NASA's Earth Science Technology Office for a value of US$2.6 million (Rp42 billion). The monitoring system that Urban Sky developed will be added to the stratosphere to assist firefighters in the field. As long as the technology is developed, Urban Sky will increase the accuracy of its geolocation sensors. The system developed by the mobile network company goTenna can transmit data directly to fire fighting officers. Urban Sky Chief Executive Andrew Antonio, told Spacenews that this system will stand out because of its high resolution. The company focuses on its resolution because its sensors will fly into the stratosphere, not orbit.

According to Antonio, these balloons are more responsive than satellites because they can work quickly and can monitor certain fires. In addition, balloons are not like satellites that need to be awaited until they arrive in the relevant areas. "If there is wind, we can fly for days," Antonio said. We can park balloons in a region that is at risk of fire for several days (without any disturbances). Before getting an award for making a forest fire monitoring tool, Urban Sky also received an award from NASA. The company won NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Award to develop small infrared sensors.