Tanager-1 Satellite

Source: The post Tanager-1 Satellite has been created, based on the article “Tanager-1: Why NASA has launched a satellite to track methane emissions” published in “Indian Express” on 24th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment- Pollution

Context: The article discusses the launch of the Tanager-1 satellite, which tracks methane and carbon dioxide emissions. It highlights the importance of reducing methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and harmful ground-level ozone, primarily from fossil fuel operations.

For detailed information on MethaneSAT- A satellite to track Methane read this article here

What is the Tanager-1 Satellite?

1. Tanager-1 is a satellite launched to track methane and carbon dioxide emissions.
2. It was developed by a coalition of companies and organizations, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
3. The satellite uses imaging spectrometer technology to measure light wavelengths reflected by Earth’s surface.
4. This technology identifies the unique spectral fingerprints of gases like methane and carbon dioxide.
5. Tanager-1 scans 130,000 square kilometers of Earth’s surface daily, pinpointing emission sources, including individual facilities.
6. This data is crucial for accelerating efforts to mitigate harmful emissions.

Why Track Methane Emissions?

1. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming.
2. It is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
3. Methane is responsible for 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution.
4. The gas also contributes to ground-level ozone, which causes about one million premature deaths yearly.
5. Fossil fuel operations are the main source, contributing to 40% of human-caused methane emissions.
6. Reducing methane emissions is crucial to slowing climate change and improving air quality.

Question for practice:

Discuss the importance of the Tanager-1 satellite in tracking methane and carbon dioxide emissions and its role in mitigating climate change.