3, 2, 1… Launch! MethaneSAT takes flight on a mission to map emissions

Every year, our planet is getting hotter because of greenhouses gases...but the launch of MethaneSAT offers hope

Methane is responsible for a third of climate warming and oil and gas operations are some of the largest industrial sources of the gas. Six years ago Environmental Defense Fund announced MethaneSAT, an audacious project to create the most detailed portrait of methane emissions by mapping, measuring, and tracking methane from space via satellite orbiting the Earth 15 times a day. 

MethaneSAT has officially launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, which will be one of the most powerful short-term actions needed to address global warming. 

How does it work?

Not only will EDF quantify and trace emissions to their source, allowing us greater levels of accountability, MethaneSAT will also have the unique ability to monitor high-emitting sources and  small ones. The final piece of the puzzle is holding emitters accountable and providing critical data to policymakers so they can act. 

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