5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[SRD24-P06] Strategy for high-resolution methane observations using micro-satellites
Keywords:Methane, micro-satellite, strategy
Methane is one of the main greenhouse gases. In addition to ruminants and rice paddies, human activities related to resource extraction, such as the mining, transportation and combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal and oil, are also significant sources of methane emissions. Identifying the locations of methane emissions and estimating the amount of emissions is important in terms of their impact on global warming. Satellite observations, which can survey large areas in a short time, are of great value. Until now, satellite observations of methane have used methods that measure high-precision spectra over a wide wavelength range with relatively low ground resolution, as typified by GOSAT series. Recently, there has also been a trend towards identifying high-density methane emission sources with higher spatial resolution, as in the case of GHG Sat. The latter is possible with relatively simple observation equipment, so it is also possible to make observations with micro -satellites weighing less than several tens of kilograms. Our group at Hokkaido University, together with Tohoku University, has achieved the world's highest spatial resolution (about 4m) in spectral imaging with a band resolution of 10-20nm. This has been achieved through the use of a special spectral imager and high-precision satellite attitude control. Since methane observations require even higher wavelength resolution (on the order of 0.1nm), longer exposure times are required. This in turn requires even higher functionality and precision in attitude control. In this presentation, we will introduce the status of the study of a highly sensitive methane observation satellite with a resolution of 10 m or higher on the ground, which our research group is aiming to develop.