Greenhouse gas emissions are at the heart of climate research, and now we have launched the first sophisticated satellite into space to monitor them. This mission is critical to understanding and mitigating the impacts these gases have on our planet’s climate.
On August 16, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying a state-of-the-art greenhouse gas tracking instrument.
Satellite to track greenhouse gases
Tanager-1 is a cutting-edge piece of technology developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This satellite uses advanced imaging spectrometer technology to precisely measure methane and carbon dioxide emissions and pinpoint them on a global scale down to individual facilities and equipment.
Dr. Laurie Leshin, a renowned geochemist and space scientist, is director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“The imaging spectrometer technology on board Tanager-1 is the product of four decades of development at NASA JPL and is truly in a class of its own,” said Dr. Leshin.
The data collected by Tanager-1 will provide an unprecedented overview of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Carbon Mapper Coalition, a non-profit organization, played a significant role in the development of Tanager-1. In collaboration with Planet Labs PBC, the satellite’s builder, and NASA JPL, they have developed an invaluable tool in the fight against climate change.
Satellite to locate superemitter
Using data from the Tanager-1 satellite, Carbon Mapper will analyze unique spectral signatures of greenhouse gas emissions and precisely locate their sources. The data will be publicly available through the Carbon Mapper data portal.
“The Carbon Mapper Coalition is a prime example of how organizations from different sectors are uniting around the common goal of combating climate change,” said Riley Duren, CEO of Carbon Mapper.
The coalition aims to measure our planet’s emissions more accurately and thus drive substantial action to reduce them. A key goal is to detect, locate and quantify methane and CO2 Superemitter.
Decoding the fingerprints of greenhouse gases
How exactly does Tanager-1 detect these emissions? It’s about the interaction of light with the Earth’s atmosphere.
The satellite’s imaging spectrometer measures hundreds of wavelengths of light reflected from the Earth’s surface and captures a detailed spectrum of data.
Various compounds in our atmosphere, such as methane and carbon dioxide, absorb certain wavelengths of light and leave behind unique spectral “fingerprints” that can be detected from space.
Using these unique fingerprints, researchers can determine the exact sources of greenhouse gas emissions and quantify their extent with remarkable accuracy.
Advanced imaging spectrometer
But Tanager-1 does not work alone. It is part of a broader, coordinated initiative to make data on methane and carbon dioxide accessible and usable by scientists, policymakers and the public.
Complementing the Tanager-1 mission is NASA’s EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation), a state-of-the-art imaging spectrometer also developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
EMIT, installed on the International Space Station, provides important measurements that increase our awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on Earth’s climate.
Collaborations that drive innovation
The Tanager-1 mission highlights the power of cross-industry collaboration. Technology innovators, environmental scientists and policymakers will join forces to use this cutting-edge technology to address the most pressing problem of climate change.
This cross-sector collaboration ensures that the valuable data collected by Tanager-1 and other satellites is not only stored, but actively used to influence policy decisions and promote sustainable practices around the world.
In addition, educational institutions such as the University of Arizona and Arizona State University play a critical role in training the next generation of scientists and engineers who will continue this important work.
By incorporating real-world data and challenges into their curriculum, these universities ensure that their graduates are prepared to tackle environmental problems with innovative solutions.
Ultimately, the Tanager-1 mission is an example of what we can achieve when diverse groups come together for a common goal: creating a sustainable future for our planet.
As we continue to develop more sophisticated tools and systems, the importance of such partnerships will only grow, fostering the creation of a global community committed to protecting our environment for generations to come.
Photo credit: Planet Labs PBC
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