Characterise and Test the Ozfuel Sensor to Ensure it is able to Detect a Range of Flammability Traits from Space

Abstract

The OzFuel project is a space-based mission designed to monitor vegetation moisture using short wave infrared (SWIR) sensing, providing early warnings for fire risk. This study evaluates the system's ability to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) above 100, which is essential for reliable data collection. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine how key parameters - ground sampling distance (GSD), primary mirror size, exposure time, optical efficiency, and read noise - affect OzFuel's performance. The results show that many configurations fail to reach the required SNR, raising concerns about the instrument's ability to deliver accurate fire risk assessments. However, specific optimisations can significantly improve performance: - GSD of 50 m balances resolution and photon collection for reliable moisture detection. - An 85 mm mirror is the minimum required for a consistent SNR above 100. - Exposure time of 7.24 ms provides strong signals without motion blur. - Optical efficiency between 25-50% improves SNR without excessive system modifications. - Read noise must stay below 79 e- to ensure measurement accuracy. The 1.6 µm and 2.2 µm bands consistently provided the highest SNR, making them the most viable for tracking vegetation moisture. Show more