Carbon Mapper Coalition launches Tanager-1 satellite to drive transparency of methane and CO2 super-emitters and prompt global action

Rhea-AI Summary

The Carbon Mapper Coalition has successfully launched Tanager-1, its first satellite, into orbit. Developed by Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory technology, Tanager-1 aims to pinpoint methane and CO2 super-emitters globally. This satellite is part of a public-private partnership to drive transparency and action on emissions reduction.

Tanager-1's unique capabilities allow it to detect methane super-emitters that emit >100 kg/hour across fossil fuel, waste, and agriculture sectors. The satellite will provide high-resolution observations to empower industry, policymakers, and civil society to reduce emissions at the source. Carbon Mapper plans to make this data publicly available on its online portal, advancing transparency and accountability in emissions reduction efforts.

Positive

• Successful launch of Tanager-1 satellite to detect methane and CO2 super-emitters
• Public-private partnership leveraging Planet Labs' (NYSE: PL) technology and expertise
• Potential to identify and mitigate previously unknown super-emitting events
• Plan to make emissions data publicly available for noncommercial use

Negative

• None.

Insights

Environmental Technology Expert

The launch of Tanager-1 represents a significant leap in methane detection technology. This satellite's ability to pinpoint super-emitters with unprecedented precision could be a game-changer for climate action. Its high-resolution imaging spectrometer can identify emissions as small as 100 kilograms per hour, far surpassing current capabilities.

The potential impact is substantial: by targeting super-emitters responsible for up to 60% of regional emissions, we could see rapid, meaningful reductions in methane levels. This precision targeting allows for more efficient and cost-effective mitigation strategies. Moreover, the public availability of this data could drive transparency and accountability across industries, potentially accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices.

Climate Policy Analyst

The Tanager-1 launch is a pivotal moment for global climate policy. By providing accurate, real-time data on methane super-emitters, this satellite could significantly enhance the effectiveness of climate regulations and agreements. It addresses a important gap in current monitoring systems, potentially enabling more targeted and enforceable methane reduction policies.

The public-private partnership model behind this project is particularly noteworthy. It demonstrates how collaboration between government agencies, private companies and philanthropic organizations can drive innovation in climate solutions. This approach could serve as a template for future climate initiatives, potentially accelerating the development and deployment of critical technologies needed to combat climate change.

Financial Analyst

For investors, the Tanager-1 launch signals potential market shifts in the energy and environmental sectors. Companies involved in methane-intensive industries may face increased scrutiny and pressure to reduce emissions, potentially impacting their operations and bottom lines. Conversely, this could create opportunities for companies offering methane detection and mitigation technologies.

Planet Labs (NYSE: PL), as a key partner in this project, could see increased investor interest. The success of Tanager-1 might boost demand for Planet's satellite and data analytics services, potentially driving revenue growth. However, investors should also consider the competitive landscape and the company's ability to capitalize on this opportunity in the long term.

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Carbon Mapper Coalition's first satellite, Tanager-1, was successfully launched into orbit on the SpaceX Transporter-11 Rideshare mission. The satellite was developed by Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) with technology from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The launch marks a critical milestone in Carbon Mapper's work to drive local action on methane and CO₂ super-emitters, globally.

The Tanager-1 satellite will grow transparency of methane super-emitters — pinpointing leaks so society can act now to stop them.

Tanager-1 is the first of a series of satellites being developed and deployed through a unique public-private partnership powered by philanthropy that brings together diverse technical, scientific, engineering and policy expertise to accomplish bold emission reduction objectives. The coalition, led by the nonprofit Carbon Mapper, includes JPL, Planet Labs, RMI and Arizona State University alongside philanthropic supporters including High Tide Foundation, Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children's Investment Fund Foundation and Zegar Family Foundation, among others.

"There is more momentum than ever to act on climate. But a lack of public and private investment in global methane and CO₂ monitoring has left gaps that leave many emissions untracked and unaddressed," said Richard Lawrence, Founder and Executive Chairman of High Tide Foundation. "With the launch of Tanager-1 we are scaling up high impact monitoring to drive transparency of super-emitters everywhere and grow society's collective capacity to be a big part of the solution." 

"Data from this satellite will dramatically improve our ability to pinpoint leaks of methane and CO₂ and ensure action is taken to stop them," said Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies. "It's a great example of how new technology can lead to more transparency and faster progress in cutting emissions — which is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change."

Methane is over 80 times more powerful at retaining heat in the atmosphere than CO₂, contributing to about 30% of global temperature rise to date. Given its outsized climate impact and relatively short lifespan (methane lasts about a decade in the atmosphere), addressing methane is best down payment society can make today to slow the rate of global temperature rise.  

Tanager's unique capabilities complement other emissions-detecting sensors in orbit by zooming in on methane super-emitters — facilities or equipment that emit >100 kilograms per hour — across the fossil fuel, waste and agriculture sectors. The Tanager-1 satellite will provide observations with unprecedented granularity to empower industry, policymakers, regulators, and civil society to take actions that reduce emissions at the source. In addition to slowing climate change, mitigating methane will dramatically improve air quality by reducing co-emitted toxic air pollutants, protecting vulnerable communities and improving public health.

"Methane super-emitters represent a disproportionate climate risk and opportunity — contributing up to 20–60% of a region's total emissions in some sectors. We have shown that finding and fixing these emissions can result in large reductions that, with sustained monitoring, can stay mitigated," said Riley Duren, Carbon Mapper Co-Founder and CEO. "Observations from Tanager will enable Carbon Mapper to grow its publicly available data, and this first satellite is an exciting step toward our goal to scale up a full constellation of satellites to detect and track up to 90% of super-emitting sources globally with daily frequency or better."

Through years of regional demonstration pilots leveraging aircraft equipped with imaging spectrometers (including Arizona State University Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science's Global Airborne Observatory and JPL's AVIRIS-NG), Carbon Mapper found that nearly half of super-emitting events flagged for state agencies and operators were previously unknown, and once identified, were able to be mitigated.

"The launch of Tanager-1 continues the crucial work of locating greenhouse gas emissions sources with a degree of resolution that will enable stakeholders to take action," said James Graf, director of JPL's Earth Science and Technology Directorate. "We are excited to see the JPL imaging spectrometer technology providing direct societal impact. We also see great promise in tackling other environmental challenges through public-private partnerships as demonstrated by the Carbon Mapper Coalition."

"The Tanager-1 mission will use incredible technology to pinpoint emitters and guide action to stop them. This is a remarkable coalition that we are incredibly proud to be a part of," said Will Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet. "Combining cutting-edge imaging spectrometer technology from JPL with an innovative smallsat bus from Planet and data processing from Carbon Mapper, the consortium itself is a powerful example of actors coming together to solve hard world challenges. We expect its impact on methane emitters to have a lasting, positive impact on the planet."

A core part of Carbon Mapper's mission is making its methane and CO₂ data and insights available on its public online portal for noncommercial use. Today, the portal includes tens of thousands of plumes observed from air and space and soon will include methane data from Tanager-1. With this powerful tool, the organization is advancing data transparency and accessibility that can strengthen societal awareness on the exact sources of emissions, prompt mitigation action, improve accountability, prioritize solutions and investments, and help us reduce emissions quickly to meet bold climate goals.

Special Note to Reporters:
More information, including image and video footage can be found in our press package here.

About Carbon Mapper
Carbon Mapper is a nonprofit based in Pasadena, CA with the mission to drive greenhouse gas emissions reductions by making methane and carbon dioxide data accessible and actionable. Carbon Mapper is focused on filling gaps in the emerging ecosystem of methane and CO₂ monitoring systems by delivering data at facility scale that is precise, timely, and accessible to empower science-based decision making and action. The organization leads a public-private partnership including Planet Labs, PBC, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Air Resources Board, RMI, and Arizona State University among others focused on developing and deploying a constellation of satellites capable of detecting, quantifying, and verifying methane emissions worldwide. Data from these satellites will offer the next major step in scaling up the thousands of methane plumes and CO₂ plumes already publicly available on the Carbon Mapper data portal. Learn more at carbonmapper.org, view our data at data.carbonmapper.org, and follow us on Twitter @carbonmapper.

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SOURCE Carbon Mapper Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Planet Labs' (PL) Tanager-1 satellite?

Tanager-1 is designed to detect and pinpoint methane and CO2 super-emitters globally, providing high-resolution observations to drive transparency and prompt action on emissions reduction.

How will Tanager-1 impact Planet Labs' (PL) business?

Tanager-1 showcases Planet Labs' technology and expertise in satellite development, potentially strengthening its position in the environmental monitoring market and contributing to its business growth.

What are the capabilities of the Tanager-1 satellite developed by Planet Labs (PL)?

Tanager-1 can detect methane super-emitters that release over 100 kg/hour across fossil fuel, waste, and agriculture sectors, providing unprecedented granularity in emissions monitoring.

How does the Tanager-1 mission align with Planet Labs' (PL) business strategy?

The Tanager-1 mission aligns with Planet Labs' strategy by demonstrating its ability to develop innovative satellite technology for environmental monitoring, potentially opening new market opportunities.