Tanager-1
| Mission type | Earth observation satellite |
|---|---|
| Operator | Carbon Mapper |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Greenhouse gas monitoring satellite |
| Manufacturer | Planet Labs |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 16 August 2024 |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg Space Force Base |
Carbon Mapper satellite constellation | |
Tanager-1 is an Earth observation satellite designed to detect and measure emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly methane and carbon dioxide, at the level of individual facilities. It is the first satellite deployed for the Carbon Mapper initiative and was launched on 16 August 2024 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.[1][2][3]
The satellite carries a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and was built and operated by Planet Labs as part of a public-private collaboration involving scientific and nonprofit organisations.[2][4]
Background
Tanager-1 was developed to improve the detection and monitoring of high-intensity greenhouse gas emission sources, including methane emissions from industrial infrastructure.[1] The mission forms part of broader efforts to expand satellite-based atmospheric monitoring and provide data for scientific and policy applications.[2][5]
Development and launch
Tanager-1 was developed through the Carbon Mapper partnership, which includes NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet Labs.[6][3]The satellite was launched on 16 August 2024 aboard SpaceX's Transporter rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.[2][3]
Following launch, mission operators established communication with the spacecraft and initiated commissioning procedures to verify instrument performance.[3]
Mission and instrumentation
Tanager-1 carries a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer that measures reflected light across multiple wavelengths, allowing detection of atmospheric gases based on their spectral signatures.[2][7]The satellite is designed to detect, locate, and quantify methane and carbon dioxide emissions from specific sources such as landfills and energy infrastructure.[8][5]
Early observations identified greenhouse gas plumes in several regions following commissioning of the instrument.[8][5]
Operations
After commissioning, Tanager-1 entered operational monitoring to support facility-scale greenhouse gas detection and emissions tracking.[6][4]Data produced by the satellite contribute to monitoring and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions.[6]
See also
- Earth observation satellite
- Greenhouse gas monitoring
- Methane emissions
- Planet Labs
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
References
- ^ a b "Group backed by Bloomberg, NASA launches its first methane-hunting satellite". Reuters. 16 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "NASA-Designed Greenhouse Gas-Detection Instrument Launches". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 16 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Planet launches 1st Tanager-1 hyperspectral satellite". SatNews. 18 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Achievements and Challenges From the First Year of Tanager-1". Small Satellite Conference Proceedings. 2025.
- ^ a b c "Carbon Mapper shares first emissions detection images from CO2 tracking satellite". Satellite Today. 10 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Group backed by Bloomberg, NASA launches its first methane-hunting satellite". Reuters. 16 August 2024.
- ^ "The Carbon Mapper emissions monitoring system" (PDF). EGU Preprints. 2025.
- ^ a b "First Greenhouse Gas Plumes Detected With NASA-Designed Instrument". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 10 October 2024.