Google Launching Methane-Tracking AI Satellite to Pinpoint Major Polluters
• Google and Environmental Defense Fund are launching MethaneSAT, an AI-powered satellite to track methane emissions globally • Methane emissions cause 30% of climate change but are hard to track; MethaneSAT uses advanced AI to detect even small diffuse sources • Satellite will launch in March 2024 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and circle Earth 15 times per day • AI programs will create worldwide maps showing oil/gas infrastructure and match emissions data to identify worst polluters • Emission data will be available later in 2024 on MethaneSAT site and Google Earth Engine platform for experts to analyze