2024-03-17 15:43:43
BAE Systems launches MethaneSAT satellite that will track greenhouse gas emissions around the world
BAE Systems celebrates together with its partners from the United States Environmental Defense Fund – FDA (EDF) the successful launch of the MethaneSAT satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, which took place on beginning of March.
The satellite will provide reliable scientific data on the sources and scale of methane emissions around the world, with the ultimate goal of promoting measures to reduce the gas in the atmosphere.
MethaneSAT technology monitors methane emissions from the Oil and Gas sector; Data will be shared publicly and free of charge
MethaneSAT’s main instrument features a spectrometer developed by BAE Systems that is responsible for identifying and quantifying methane emissions by measuring the narrow part of an infrared ray where the gas absorbs light reflected from the Earth. The satellite will monitor emissions from the oil and gas sector, which accounts for around 40% of all human-caused methane emissions. Additionally, you will have the ability to revisit the same locations daily in most cases.
Understand and remedy
“MethaneSAT will play a key role in helping us understand and remediate global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dr. Alberto Conti, Vice President and General Manager Civil Space at BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems. “This satellite will increase our ability to identify and track emissions back to their source, empowering stakeholders and the public with actionable data to drive reductions. We thank our partners at the Environmental Defense Fund for leading this mission and we look forward to seeing the changes it will bring.”
Partnership with the FDA
BAE Systems worked with scientists from the FDA and MethaneSAT LLC to design and build the main instrument. The company also led spacecraft integration and environmental testing and will provide commissioning services, which is the process between launch and entry into service, positioning the satellite in the correct orbit and testing the onboard systems. This is a new aerospace capability developed by BAE Systems, which has already accumulated strong presence in the sector.
Google will provide cloud platform
Upon completion of commissioning, the FDA will launch a cloud-based platform in partnership with Google to distribute MethaneSAT data publicly and free of charge, ensuring the data is easily accessible to everyone.
Driven by SpaceX’s Falcon 9
“MethaneSAT is a unique instrument with demanding specifications,” said Peter Vedder, MethaneSAT senior director of mission systems. “It is designed to detect methane emissions that other satellites cannot detect, with unprecedented accuracy. BAE Systems has helped us push the boundaries to deliver a powerful new tool to protect the climate.”
MethaneSAT was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
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