Team Snuffed Aims to Launch Satellites for Western Surveillance

A group of Flagstaff neighbors and associates are on a mission to revolutionize the way wildfires are detected and extinguished. Led by aerospace engineer Cody Hartman, this team has been selected to advance to the semifinals in the XPRIZE Wildfire competition, with a chance to win $11 million in prize money.

Their innovative plan involves putting 90 satellites in space to monitor the Western region for any signs of ignition larger than a campfire. This network of satellites, known as Team Snuffed, aims to detect fires within one minute of their ignition, providing constant surveillance over vast areas prone to wildfires.

The team consists of engineers, fire managers, astronomers, entrepreneurs, and professors, all bringing their expertise to the table. They propose launching a constellation of small satellites equipped with heat-seeking cameras to monitor areas like Flagstaff, the California/Nevada border, the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and Alaska.

The cost to implement this plan is estimated at $100 million, a fraction of the billions spent annually on fighting fires and dealing with the aftermath. The team is also working on an autonomous wildfire response plan, using drones and fire suppressants to quickly and effectively extinguish high-risk fires.

With the wildfire season approaching, Team Snuffed is determined to make a difference in their community and beyond. Their efforts could potentially save lives, protect ecosystems, and prevent the devastating losses caused by wildfires. As they continue to innovate and push the boundaries of technology, the team remains hopeful for a successful outcome in the XPRIZE competition.