BIROS (Berlin InfraRed Optical System) is a microsatellite for the early detection of fire. Together with its companion satellite TET-1 (Technologie-Erprobungsträger, Technology Experiment Carrier), BIROS sets up the mission FireBIRD (Fire Bispectral InfraRed Detector) in order to early recognize fires from space. Sensitive multispectral camera systems with various spectral ranges, working with infrared and in visible light, are used for achieving this. Not only forest fires, but also volcanic activities, gas torches and Industrial hotspots are to be observed.

Thanks to the satellite tandem BIROS and TET-1, it will be possible to localize fire even with a low intensity on a reliable basis. Thus, accurate predictions about the extent of fires will be possible.

Fraunhofer FOKUS developed for TET-1 as well as for BIROS not only the control computer, but also the operating system. Hence the computer was already tested successfully in the TET-1 mission, it was also used for BIROS.