MethaneSAT is a satellite mission aimed at tracking and measuring methane emissions globally. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket, it offers significant advancements in identifying methane emissions compared to previous satellites.
Greenhouse Gas Impact
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, ranking second after carbon dioxide in its contribution to global warming.
- It’s responsible for approximately 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution.
- Methane is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
Health and Environmental Impact
- Methane contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to health.
- Exposure to ground-level ozone may lead to approximately one million premature deaths annually.
Objectives of MethaneSAT
- MethaneSAT aims to address the critical issue of methane emissions, primarily stemming from fossil fuel operations.
- Developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), in partnership with Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.
Functionality of MethaneSAT
- MethaneSAT will orbit the Earth 15 times a day, monitoring the oil and gas sector.
- It will provide detailed data on methane emissions globally, including sources, trends over time, and responsible parties.
- The collected data will be publicly available in near real-time to facilitate regulatory actions and stakeholder interventions.
Technological Advancements
- Equipped with high-resolution infrared sensors and a spectrometer, MethaneSAT can detect methane concentrations as low as three parts per billion.
- It has a wide-camera view, enabling identification of both small and large emitters of methane.
- Google’s cloud-computing and AI technology will be utilized for data analysis and dissemination through the Earth Engine platform.
Impact of MethaneSAT
- MethaneSAT’s launch coincides with the implementation of stricter methane management policies globally.
- It will assist countries and corporations in meeting methane reduction targets, such as those outlined in the Global Methane Pledge.
- The satellite will promote transparency by providing accessible data on methane emissions commitments.
Challenges and Considerations
- While MethaneSAT offers valuable data, its effectiveness in influencing behavioral change among polluters remains uncertain.
- Drew Shindell, an earth-science professor, highlights that the availability of data doesn’t guarantee a shift in emissions reduction efforts.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):
- Who developed MethaneSAT?
- A) NASA
- B) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- C) European Space Agency
- D) SpaceX
- Answer: B) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- What is the primary objective of MethaneSAT?
- A) Monitoring deforestation
- B) Tracking global temperature changes
- C) Measuring methane emissions
- D) Studying ocean currents
- Answer: C) Measuring methane emissions
- What technology will be used for data analysis and dissemination by MethaneSAT?
- A) Microsoft Excel
- B) Google’s cloud-computing and AI technology
- C) Adobe Photoshop
- D) Apple iMovie
- Answer: B) Google’s cloud-computing and AI technology
- What percentage of global heating since the Industrial Revolution is attributed to methane?
- A) 10%
- B) 20%
- C) 30%
- D) 40%
- Answer: C) 30%
- What is the potential impact of ground-level ozone?
- A) Increased crop yields
- B) Improved air quality
- C) Reduced respiratory illnesses
- D) Approximately one million premature deaths annually
- Answer: D) Approximately one million premature deaths annually