The methane swirling in our atmosphere has emerged as a high-stakes player in the race to limit global warming.
A new satellite – aptly named MethaneSAT – was sent into orbit last month aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to serve as an 'eye in the sky' to keep these fugitive gas emissions in check.
Methane is the key ingredient of ‘natural gas’ which can sneak into the atmosphere, most commonly via leaks in fossil-fuel extraction.
Experts agree that it carries a much weightier planet-warming payload than regular carbon which makes it one of the most “readily implementable and cost-effective measures” to limit planetary warming, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
To find out how MethaneSAT will be monitoring emissions across major oil and gas basins around the world, you can read our full story here.
Image source: MethaneSAT
