Watch out polluters: Tanager-1 satellite set to expose major methane and CO2 emissions

The Carbon Mapper Coalition has reached a pivotal moment in environmental monitoring with the successful launch of its Tanager-1 satellite aboard the SpaceX Transporter-11 Rideshare mission. Developed by Planet Labs and featuring technology from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Tanager-1 represents a significant leap forward in tracking methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) super-emitters globally.

Tanager-1 Satellite Set to Revolutionise Emission Monitoring

The Tanager-1 satellite, now in orbit, is the first of several planned satellites aimed at enhancing the precision of global emissions tracking. This initiative is part of a groundbreaking public-private partnership that blends philanthropic support with technical expertise. The coalition includes Carbon Mapper, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Planet Labs, RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute), and Arizona State University, with backing from influential philanthropies such as the High Tide Foundation, Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and Zegar Family Foundation.

Carbon Mapper’s Tanager-1 satellite, launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-11, aims to revolutionise global methane and CO2 monitoring.

The launch marks a crucial advancement in addressing the global challenge of methane and CO2 emissions. Richard Lawrence, Founder and Executive Chairman of the High Tide Foundation, stressed the urgency of addressing the gaps in global emissions monitoring. He noted that the Tanager-1 mission aims to provide the high-impact monitoring necessary to enhance transparency and drive action against major emission sources.

Cutting-Edge Technology to Improve Emission Detection

The satellite’s advanced technology promises to significantly improve the detection and monitoring of methane and CO2 emissions. Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the transformative potential of Tanager-1’s data. According to Bloomberg, the satellite will enhance the ability to locate and address methane and CO2 leaks, facilitating faster and more effective mitigation efforts.

Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential over 80 times greater than CO2 in the short term. Its impact on climate change is substantial, contributing to roughly 30% of the world’s temperature rise to date. Given methane’s relatively short atmospheric lifespan—about a decade—addressing these emissions is critical for slowing global temperature increases.

Satellite’s Role in Identifying and Mitigating Super-Emitters

Tanager-1 is designed to focus on methane super-emitters—facilities or equipment that emit more than 100 kilograms of methane per hour. By providing high-resolution observations, the satellite will aid in identifying and targeting emissions across sectors such as fossil fuels, waste management, and agriculture. Riley Duren, Co-Founder and CEO of Carbon Mapper, emphasised the satellite’s role in detecting and mitigating significant emissions sources, which can account for up to 60% of a region’s total emissions in some cases.

The data collected by Tanager-1 will be integrated into Carbon Mapper’s publicly available portal, which already includes extensive emissions data from previous monitoring efforts. This enhanced data transparency will support industry, policymakers, and regulators in implementing effective emission reduction strategies.

Historical Context and Future Prospects

The launch of Tanager-1 builds on years of regional pilots and aircraft-based monitoring, such as the Global Airborne Observatory from Arizona State University and JPL’s AVIRIS-NG. These efforts have demonstrated the effectiveness of advanced imaging techniques in identifying previously unreported super-emitting events.

James Graf, Director of JPL’s Earth Science and Technology Directorate, praised the Tanager-1 mission for its potential societal impact and highlighted the promise of public-private partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.

Will Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Labs, described the Tanager-1 project as a powerful example of collaborative problem-solving. He noted that the integration of JPL’s imaging spectrometer technology with Planet Labs’ smallsat bus and Carbon Mapper’s data processing capabilities exemplifies a robust approach to tackling complex global issues.

Commitment to Data Transparency and Accessibility

Carbon Mapper is dedicated to ensuring that the data and insights from Tanager-1 are accessible to the public through its online portal. This commitment aims to enhance societal awareness of emission sources, encourage prompt mitigation actions, and support global climate goals.

The nonprofit Carbon Mapper, headquartered in Pasadena, California, leads a significant initiative to develop a constellation of satellites capable of comprehensive methane and CO2 monitoring. This constellation represents a major step forward in scaling up emissions tracking and providing actionable data to support environmental decision-making.