NASA forges ahead with satellite monitoring of greenhouse gases

NASA has embarked on a significant mission to enhance global greenhouse gas monitoring with the launch of Tanager-1, a satellite equipped with a cutting-edge methane detection instrument. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address climate change by precisely identifying and quantifying methane emissions from individual sources worldwide. 

Tanager-1 carries an advanced imaging spectrometer developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This technology, the result of four decades of research, allows the satellite to detect the unique spectral fingerprints of methane and carbon dioxide. By scanning approximately 50,000 square miles of Earth's surface daily, Tanager-1 can pinpoint the locations of major greenhouse gas emissions with unprecedented accuracy. 

The spectrometer works by measuring hundreds of wavelengths of light reflected by the Earth's surface. Different compounds, including methane and carbon dioxide, absorb specific wavelengths, leaving distinct spectral signatures that the spectrometer can detect. This ability to identify and quantify emissions from space is crucial for accelerating mitigation efforts. 

Tanager-1 is part of the Carbon Mapper Coalition, a public-private partnership involving Planet Labs PBC, the nonprofit Carbon Mapper, and NASA's JPL. This coalition aims to provide actionable data to policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental organizations to drive significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The data collected by Tanager-1 will be made publicly available, promoting transparency and encouraging global cooperation in the fight against climate change. 

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. Despite its lower concentration compared to carbon dioxide, methane is over 80 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period. About half of global methane emissions are anthropogenic, stemming from the fossil fuel industry, agriculture, and waste management. By accurately identifying and quantifying these emissions, Tanager-1 can help target the most significant sources, facilitating targeted mitigation strategies. 

The data provided by Tanager-1 will have far-reaching implications. For the fossil fuel industry, it offers a means to detect and repair leaks, thereby reducing methane emissions and improving operational efficiency. For governments and regulatory bodies, the data will support the enforcement of environmental regulations and inform policy decisions. Furthermore, the public availability of this data ensures that environmental organizations and researchers can independently monitor emissions, increasing accountability. 

The launch of Tanager-1 marks the beginning of an ambitious effort to enhance global greenhouse gas monitoring. A second satellite, also equipped with a JPL-built imaging spectrometer, is planned for future launch. Together, these satellites will form a critical part of the global effort to address climate change, providing the data necessary to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. 

Additionally, Tanager-1 complements other methane-monitoring initiatives such as NASA's EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) mission on the International Space Station and the upcoming MethaneSAT. These efforts are collectively designed to offer a comprehensive, high-resolution view of methane and carbon dioxide emissions, which are critical for informing and advancing global climate policies. 

NASA's Tanager-1 satellite represents a significant advancement in the global effort to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By providing precise, real-time data on methane and carbon dioxide emissions, Tanager-1 will play a crucial role in guiding mitigation efforts and promoting transparency in the fight against climate change. This initiative underscores the importance of leveraging advanced technology and international cooperation to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time.