A coalition using technology developed by NASA and supported by philanthropists such as former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg will launch the first in a series of satellites on Friday to detect methane leaks from space.

This launch, part of the SpaceX Transporter-11 Rideshare mission, marks a significant step for the Carbon Mapper Coalition, which was established in 2021. The coalition includes NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, satellite company Planet Labs, RMI, and Arizona State University, with financial support from the High Tide Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, the Zegar Family Foundation, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

The satellite, named Tanager-1, is designed to detect methane leaks from specific facilities like oil refineries and landfills. Its technology aims to assist industries in identifying and repairing leaks, with data made accessible through a public online portal. Carbon Mapper intends to deploy additional satellites to monitor up to 90% of the world’s significant methane plumes daily.

Identifying methane sources is critical for achieving the significant emissions reductions needed to mitigate severe climate change impacts. Methane is over 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over its first 20 years.

According to Riley Duren, Chief Executive of Carbon Mapper, “super-emitters”—sources releasing more than 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of methane per hour—can account for 20% to 60% of total emissions in certain sectors. SpaceX will launch the satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with a 53-minute launch window starting at 11:20 a.m. local time (1820 GMT).