Guest: Jean-Francoise Gauthier of GHGSat in Canada; Topics: Methane detection satellites, how the satellites work, satellite detection of CO2, industries using satellites, the need for a business case and more.
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We welcomed Jean-Francoise Gauthier (JF) to the program to describe the methane detection satellites made by his Canadian company, GHGSat in Canada. JF told us that they were commercial and that closing the business case was essential in what they do and with their customer base. As with other Space Show programs, use the Tags, repeated below, as a short but effective summary to topics discussed on this program. Here are the Tags repeated here for your convenience.
Tags: Jean-Francoise Gauthier, methane detection satellites, global scale coverage, CO2, the business case for methane, 25 meter resolution, oil and gas industry, coal mining, landfills, cattle in groups (stockyards), launching with sun synchronous polar orbit, 500 km, communications, satellite lifespan, business and tech partners, private sector compared to government, methane stove ban, oil and gas leakage, material leaking cost dollars, NASA methane detection method, cap and trade, agriculture and ranching, timelines for CO2 emissions, first CO2 detection satellite 2023, business case for company is essential, pipeline leakage, Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosion largest methane plume ever, GHGSat in Canada.
The highlight of the show for me was at the end when our guest was asked if they detected the methane coming from the destruction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Recall that news announcers said it was the largest methane leak ever putting more methane into the atmosphere than any other source. Don't miss what JF said about the pipeline explosion, the size of the methane leak and the image they got of the methane plume. See the picture of the plume here (our guest sent it to me). You can comment on it via our blog for this program.
Another interesting point to me was his relentless pursuit in closing the business case with their customers. Even when working with government projects, it seems they pursue closing the business case. I believe this was important and can serve as a model for other companies wanting to compete with them or develop other special detection satellites. In keeping with this theme, note the commercial customers for methane detection satellites. Most realize it would be a waste to leak their product into the atmosphere so not all customers are pursuing climate change as an objective.
I also liked a listener who asked if his satellites could detect methane from a kitchen stove since the government now wants to ban natural gas stoves and other appliances. The answer was not but listen to what he said about methane being toxic because of impurities in the gas which he said were passed on to the end user. You may want to comment on this on our blog.
Please post your comments/questions for JF on our blog for this show. You can reach him through his company website in Canada, GHGSat.
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