Resumes of the Bird Mission

The DLR micro satellite BIRD (Bi-Spectral Infra Red Detection)was the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C3 into a 570 km ciracular sun-synchronous orbit on 22 October 2001. The BIRD mission, fully funded by the DLR, answers topical technologal and scientific questions related to the operation of a compact infra-red push-broom sensor system on board of a micro satellite and demonstrates a new spacecraft bus technologies. BIRD mission control is conducted by DLR/GSOC in Oberpfaffenhofen commanding, data reception and data processing is performed via ground stations in Weilheim and Neustrelitz (Germany). The BIRD mission is a demonstrator for small satellite projects dedicated to the hazard detection and monitoring. In the year 2003 BIRD has been used in the ESA project FUEGOSAT to demonstrate the utilisation of innovative space technologies for fire risk management.