Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Nears Completion of GHGSat Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Constellation Core Satellites

The three greenhouse gas monitoring high-resolution satellites developed by SFL are dedicated space assets owned by GHGSat and are on track for their scheduled delivery to the launch pad in early 2023.

“GHGSat has gained the well-deserved reputation as the world leader in high-resolution remote sensing of greenhouse gas emissions,” said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. “SFL is pleased to have played a key role in developing GHGSat’s core satellite assets.”

In August 2022, GHGSat lauded SFL for its part in the timely on-orbit commissioning of GHGSat-C3, C4, and C5, which were launched in May.

Stephane Germain, GHGSat CEO, said: “Going from launch to the production of emission related climate impact data in just a matter of days is a remarkable achievement. Our partners at Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) were instrumental in this success. In the months leading up to the launch, they demonstrated responsiveness and efficiency in adapting to shifting schedules. The SFL team commissioned the spacecraft quickly without anomalies.”

GHGSat first chose SFL in 2013 to develop the GHGSat-D (Claire) demonstration satellite, proving that sufficient on-orbit stability and sensor pointing could be achieved by a satellite platform small enough to meet the cost considerations of a commercial business model. SFL was specifically chosen for the mission due to the attitude control technology it had developed for precise pointing of sensors aboard low-inertia platforms in orbit – a crucial capability for the GHGSat high-resolution satellites to detect and measure greenhouse gas emissions from sources on the Earth’s surface.