SpaceQ Space news and analysis.
Toronto based Space Flight Laboratory developers of a variety of small satellite platforms and technology, announced at this years Small Satellite Conference that GHGSat has contracted them to build two more greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellites, GHGSat-C12 and C13.
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) had previously built nine GHGSat microsatellites, the last being GHGSat-C8 which was launched in 2023. The two new microsatellites, already under development, will once again use the SFL designed 15-kg NEMO bus and “be identical in design and technical capabilities to GHGSat-C6, C7, C8.”
Of note, GHGSat-C9, C10 and C11 were built by Spire Global on a Spire 16U platform with the GHGSat instruments as a hosted payload.
Late last fall ABB Canada was selected to provide GHGSat with four additional hyperspectral cameras to be delivered this year. Two of those cameras will be used in GHGSat-C12 and C13 while the remaining two are earmarked for GHGSat-C14 and C15. Neither GHGSat-C14 and C15 have been contracted out yet.
SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee said, “SFL is pleased to build upon our long-standing relationship with GHGSat as it continues to leverage our exceptional microspace technology and develop a world-class commercial greenhouse gas monitoring constellation. We take pride in building cost-effective small satellites that outperform and often exceed operational specifications.”
GHGSat President Stéphane Germain added, “As GHGSat continues to rapidly expand its constellation of high-resolution emissions-monitoring satellites, we are proud to once again partner with SFL for an additional two satellites. These spacecraft, which will build on the extensive track record of the previous nine SFL-built GHGSat satellites, mark exciting progress in GHGSat’s mission to measure emissions at every industrial site, worldwide, every day. The insights they generate will enable tangible emissions reductions for GHGSat’s government and industry customers, creating global climate impact.”
