Methane From Space Gets Sharper as GHGSat Grows Fleet

GHGSat’s expanding satellite fleet is boosting how often and how precisely methane leaks are spotted from orbit, changing the pace of emissions oversight

3 Dec 2025

A new phase of methane monitoring is emerging as satellite operators move from pilot projects to regular, high-frequency surveillance of industrial emissions. In late 2025, GHGSat expanded its constellation dedicated to high-resolution methane detection, increasing the pace at which large leaks can be identified from orbit.

On 28 November, two satellites carrying methane-monitoring payloads were launched for GHGSat on SpaceX’s Transporter-15 rideshare mission. The additional spacecraft are designed to raise revisit rates over key industrial regions, allowing more frequent screening for emission plumes and quicker identification of persistent sources.

Higher revisit frequency is important because methane emissions can be intermittent. Infrequent observations risk missing short-lived leaks, while persistent emitters may go undetected for long periods. More regular coverage improves the chances of capturing both, shortening the time between release, detection and follow-up action.

The expansion reflects a broader shift towards what the industry describes as “measurement at scale”. Satellite systems provide wide-area visibility that is difficult to achieve with ground-based inspections alone. By highlighting where emissions signals are strongest, they can help operators, regulators and other stakeholders prioritise resources and focus inspections on the most significant sources.

As scrutiny of methane emissions increases across oil, gas and other industrial sectors, higher-frequency satellite data is becoming more valuable. Operators are using it to support internal reporting, guide repair crews and provide independent evidence to supplement company disclosures.

Satellite monitoring is not generally viewed as a replacement for established leak detection and repair programmes. Instead, it is increasingly used alongside aerial surveys, continuous sensors and traditional inspections. With larger constellations improving coverage and repeat observations, satellite methane data is moving closer to routine operational use, reshaping expectations around transparency and response times across the energy value chain.