Heavy polluters of methane will be monitored from space

On Monday night, March 4, a satellite was launched into space that will seek to detect and identify the largest emitters of methane gas, which is responsible for 30% of the emissions that cause global warming.

The device is called MethaneSat and was launched into space on a Falcon 9 rocket without precursors.

In the coming days, Methanesat will begin operations to collect data. An American non-governmental organization is behind the initiative Environmental Protection Fund (EDF), received support from several investors to raise the US$88 million it would cost to build and put the satellite into orbit.

On board it has an infrared sensor capable of capturing images with a resolution close to 140 meters. Satellites monitoring methane emissions currently operate with resolutions of over six kilometers, the best technology to date.

Through this, the initiative hopes to identify in the oil and gas industry who is responsible for the world's largest gas leak and who is contributing to the pollution that is accelerating climate change.

The idea, they say, is to use technology to not only track down the culprits, but also identify those who have achieved emission reduction or elimination targets and track these progress.

Data collected with MehtaneSAT is open and therefore available for public consultation to contribute to visibility.

UN to reduce pollutant emissions by 2030 Most of the Member States are committed, where reducing methane leakage plays an important role.

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