Tanager-1: NASA’s New Satellite for Tracking Methane Emissions

Tanager-1: NASA’s New Satellite for Tracking Methane Emissions

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

NASA, in collaboration with several organizations, has recently launched Tanager-1, a satellite designed to monitor methane and carbon dioxide emissions from space. This launch, which took place aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, highlights the growing focus on tracking greenhouse gases to combat climate change.

Why is it in the News?

The launch of Tanager-1 follows the March debut of MethaneSAT, another satellite aimed at monitoring methane emissions. This development underscores the increasing importance of precise greenhouse gas tracking in addressing climate change. Tanager-1’s technology offers a new level of detail in measuring emissions, reflecting a significant advancement in environmental monitoring.

What is Tanager-1?

Tanager-1 is equipped with advanced imaging spectrometer technology developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This technology detects greenhouse gases by measuring the wavelengths of light reflected from Earth’s surface. Each gas absorbs specific wavelengths, creating unique spectral “fingerprints” that allow Tanager-1 to identify and quantify methane and carbon dioxide emissions.

Key Facts:

• Launch Date: Recent, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• Coverage: Scans 130,000 square kilometers of Earth’s surface daily.
• Capabilities: Measures emissions from individual facilities and equipment globally.
• Data Accessibility: Emission data will be publicly available online.

Purpose and Connection with Methane

The primary purpose of Tanager-1 is to enhance the detection and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. By providing detailed data on gas plumes and their sources, the satellite aims to accelerate efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly impacting global warming and air quality.

Methane and Climate Change

Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide, responsible for about 30% of the Earth’s heating since the Industrial Revolution.

Over a 20-year period, methane is 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Additionally, methane contributes to ground-level ozone formation, which has severe health implications, including an estimated one million premature deaths annually.

Addressing methane emissions is critical, especially from fossil fuel operations, which account for approximately 40% of human-caused methane emissions. Monitoring and reducing these emissions is crucial for climate and public health.