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Recently a satellite (MethaneSAT)  which will track and measure methane emissions at a global scale — was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from California

About MethaneSAT

• Objective:  To track and measure methane emissions at a global scale. To identify how much methane is coming from where, who’s responsible, and are those emissions going up or down over time.
• Promoting entity:  Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a US-based non-profit environmental advocacy group.
• Developing partners: Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.
• Mission Partner: Google

Features of MethaneSAT

• High Resolution Sensor:  The satellite, equipped with a high-resolution infrared sensor and a spectrometer, which will help fill important data gaps.
• Detection: It can detect changes in methane levels as small as three parts per billion in the atmosphere, allowing it to identify smaller sources of emissions compared to previous satellites.
• Super Emitters: MethaneSAT also boasts a broad camera perspective, covering approximately 200 km by 200 km, enabling it to detect larger emitters known as “super emitters“.

News Source: Indian Express

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