Methane Hunter: New Satellite Aims to Track Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A cutting-edge satellite, known as Tanager-1, has been launched into orbit, joining the fight against climate change by tracking the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Developed by a consortium of organisations including NASAâs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California last week.
Tanager-1's arrival comes just months after the launch of MethaneSAT, another satellite dedicated to monitoring methane emissions. This growing network of space-based trackers demonstrates the escalating global effort to understand and mitigate the impact of this potent greenhouse gas.
Unmasking Methane Emitters with Imaging Technology
Tanager-1 employs a sophisticated imaging spectrometer, developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to detect and measure methane and carbon dioxide emissions. This technology works by analysing the unique spectral signatures of different gases in the atmosphere. As these gases absorb specific wavelengths of light, they leave behind distinct "fingerprints" that the spectrometer can identify. By analysing these fingerprints, researchers can pinpoint the sources of these emissions and quantify their impact.
Tanager-1 is capable of scanning a vast 130,000 square kilometres of Earth's surface each day. This enables the satellite to identify individual facilities and equipment responsible for significant methane emissions on a global scale. The data collected by Tanager-1, which will be made publicly available online, will be crucial for informing mitigation efforts and holding polluters accountable.
The Urgent Need to Curb Methane Emissions
Methane, although invisible, packs a powerful punch when it comes to climate change. This potent greenhouse gas, the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide, is responsible for 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, methane's warming potential is 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
Beyond its role in climate change, methane also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone. This hazardous gas, present just above the Earth's surface, is linked to respiratory illnesses and premature deaths. A 2022 report suggests that exposure to ground-level ozone could be responsible for one million premature deaths annually.
Focus on Fossil Fuel Operations
The primary source of human-caused methane emissions is fossil fuel operations, accounting for approximately 40% of total emissions. Identifying and addressing these emissions is crucial for tackling climate change and improving air quality.
The launch of Tanager-1 represents a significant step forward in the fight against methane emissions. This sophisticated satellite, coupled with the data from other tracking initiatives, will provide vital information to accelerate mitigation efforts and usher in a cleaner, healthier future for our planet.
