BAE Systems launches methane satellite with SpaceX rocket to monitor oil and gas emissions

British aerospace company BAE Systems and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced the successful launch of a methane satellite on March 4, 2024, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA. The satellite will provide the public with reliable scientific data on global methane emissions sources and scale, with the ultimate goal of driving emissions reductions in the near future.

The primary instrument on MethaneSAT includes a spectrometer manufactured by BAE Systems, which will identify and quantify methane emissions by measuring narrow portions of infrared spectra of Earth-reflected light. The satellite will monitor emissions from the oil and gas industry and, in most cases, will be able to revisit the same locations daily.

MethaneSAT will also fill gaps in existing remote methane monitoring capabilities, providing high-precision emission maps with a field of view of 200 kilometers by 200 kilometers. This satellite will complement existing methane monitoring satellites, which focus on larger scales or detecting point sources.

Dr. Alberto Conti, Vice President and General Manager of Civil Space at BAE Systems' Space & Missions Systems, stated: "MethaneSAT will play a critical role in helping us better understand and address global greenhouse gas emissions. It will enhance our ability to identify and track emissions from the source, providing actionable data to stakeholders and the public to achieve emissions reductions."

BAE Systems collaborated with scientists from Électricité de France (EDF) and MethaneSAT, designing and constructing the primary instrument. The company also led spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and will provide commissioning services. Once commissioned, EDF will partner with Google to launch a cloud-based platform, publicly distributing MethaneSAT data for free, ensuring accessibility for all.

Peter Vedder, Senior Director of MethaneSAT Mission Systems, said: "MethaneSAT is a unique instrument with high specifications. It is designed to observe methane emissions with unprecedented accuracy, surpassing what other satellites can observe. BAE Systems has helped us push the boundaries, providing a powerful new tool to protect the climate."

MethaneSAT was launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.