Technologies
Multi-Scale Approach
Carbon Mapper Satellite
Carbon Mapper satellites use advanced hyperspectral imaging spectrometers to detect and quantify methane and carbon dioxide emissions from space. These sensors measure reflected sunlight across hundreds of wavelengths, allowing methane plumes to be identified through their unique spectral absorption signatures.
The Carbon Mapper constellation is designed to detect large methane “super-emitters” from industrial facilities, oil and gas infrastructure, and landfills. The first satellite, Tanager-1, launched in 2024 and carries a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This technology enables facility-scale detection of methane plumes and supports global monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions.
Under favorable conditions, the system can detect methane emissions with rates as low as ~70 kg/hr from space, providing a powerful tool for identifying major emission sources worldwide.
For more details, see the Carbon Mapper science page: https://carbonmapper.org/work/science
Carbon Mapper Aircraft
Carbon Mapper also conductes extensive airborne surveys using imaging spectrometers mounted on research aircraft. These airborne instruments, such as NASA JPL’s AVIRIS-NG, measure methane plumes with very high spatial resolution (typically 3–5 m).
Aircraft-based measurements allow scientists to detect and quantify methane emissions from individual infrastructure components, including wellheads, pipelines, and landfill surfaces. This high spatial resolution enables accurate localization of emission sources and provides critical validation data for satellite observations.
Airborne surveys have been widely used to map methane emissions across sectors such as oil and gas production, agriculture, and solid waste management, helping identify large point sources and guide mitigation strategies.
For more details, see the Carbon Mapper science page: https://carbonmapper.org/work/science