New Satellite to Track 5x More Methane Emissions by 2028

Scientists just got a major upgrade in their fight against climate change, and it's launching into space in 2028.

Planet is building a new version of its Tanager satellite that will detect methane and other greenhouse gas emissions across five times more area than its predecessor. The spacecraft will scan 100-kilometer-wide swaths of Earth, hunting for invisible gas plumes that contribute to global warming.

The original Tanager-1 launched in 2024 as a proof of concept. Now, Planet is partnering with Carbon Mapper and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to create this supercharged version focused entirely on shortwave infrared light, the spectrum where methane shows up most clearly.

Think of it like upgrading from a magnifying glass to a wide-angle camera. The new satellite sacrifices some detail to cover vastly more ground, making it possible to monitor remote areas and industrial sites that often go unwatched.

Carbon Mapper has already proven the approach works. Using satellite and airborne sensors, the nonprofit has identified more than 11,000 methane plumes from nearly 5,000 sources worldwide. Those discoveries help companies and governments find leaks they didn't know existed.

Methane is a particularly nasty greenhouse gas, trapping more than 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Oil and gas facilities, landfills, and agricultural operations often leak it without realizing the problem. Finding these leaks is the first step to fixing them.

The Ripple Effect

The satellite's benefits extend far beyond climate monitoring. Its sensors will also help geologists find mineral deposits, track wildfire fuel loads, and detect fires the moment they ignite. Water quality monitoring and biodiversity tracking are also on the list.

Planet plans to launch at least three more Tanager-1 style satellites alongside the new SWIR version. Together, the constellation will provide both wide coverage and detailed analysis, giving scientists the best of both worlds.

Jeff Guido, Planet's vice president of space mission delivery, emphasized the company's growing ability to build sophisticated spacecraft quickly and efficiently. That speed matters when climate change demands urgent action.

The technology represents a shift from reactive to proactive environmental protection. Instead of discovering problems after years of damage, we can now spot them in near real-time and take action immediately.

By 2028, this constellation will give us unprecedented visibility into one of climate change's most important puzzle pieces.