Maxar Technologies“™ SSL subsidiary has received a contract from Environmental Defense Fund to design and define requirements for a small satellite designed to detect and monitor methane emissions from oil and gas facilities worldwide.
MethaneSAT is a small form-factor satellite that will work to provide high-resolution images to help detect and measure low- and high-emission sources in regions that constitute more than 80 percent of global production of oil and gas per week, Maxar said Thursday.
Richard White, president of SSL“™s government systems business, said the company will leverage its experience in spacecraft development and Maxar“™s space capabilities to support work on MethaneSAT, which aims to uncover insights about changes in the planet.
SSL will work with DigitalGlobe to seek technical input on MethaneSAT“™s payload design and assistance on the mission plan.
EDF expects to award the final satellite design and production contract this year.