BIRD (satellite)
| Mission type | Earth observation |
|---|---|
| Operator | DLR |
| Website | DLR BIRD page |
| Mission duration | 1 year, 3 months |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 92 kilograms (203 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 22 October 2001 |
| Rocket | PSLV-C3 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan FLP |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 566 kilometres (352 mi) |
| Apogee | 566 kilometres (352 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.9 degrees |
| Period | 97 minutes |
BIRD (Bispectral and Infrared Remote Detection) is a satellite launched by ISRO in 2001 for DLR. This small (92 kg) boxlike system, with solar panel two collectors on stub wings, has remarkable fire-detection qualities. It hosts a two-channel infrared sensor system in combination with a Wide-Angle Optoelectronic Stereo Scanner (WAOSS). It also features a neuronal network classificator in orbit to reduce downlink bandwidth and cost.[1]
The unique combination of a stereo camera and two infrared cameras gives the opportunity to acquire:
- More precise information about leaf mass and photosynthesis for the early diagnosis of vegetation condition and changes
- Real time discrimination between smoke and water clouds
The attitude&control system of the BIRD satellite was reused in the TET-1 satellite.
Publications
A BIRD satellite architecture (in German) (pdf)
O. Maibaum, T. Terzibaschian, "Lessons learned from the Object-Oriented Design of the BIRD Attitude Control System Software", 16th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace (ACA'2004), ACA'2004 Preprints (Vol.I), S. 156-161, St.Petersburg, 14–18 June 2004