See the planet breathe from space, or how to measure satellite greenhouse gases

The quantity of CO₂ in the atmosphere varies because of human activities, but also in response to the functioning of ecosystems, such as trees, which absorb and emit CO₂ By breathing in the satellites, we can see the planet “breathe”. Therefore, The new CNES Microcarb mission is to take off on July 25 from Guyana. Meanwhile, join other programs to closely follow this important factor in climate change.Satellites have become essential tools to follow the evolution of the climate. Therefore, Indeed. In addition, the dense and continuous measures of the CO content₂ make it possible to identify emission sites or, on the contrary, absorption by ecosystems and human activities. Nevertheless,

With the launch of the Microcarb mission. In addition, which is devoted to the precise measurement of the CO concentration₂ Atmospheric, France will make an unprecedented contribution to improving our knowledge of the see planet breathe space, how carbon cycle.

The role of the co₂ in the greenhouse effect – See planet breathe space, how

Carbon dioxide (Co₂) is the main engine of current climate change. In addition, Its concentration in the atmosphere has increased sharply since the beginning of the industrial era. For example, because of the combustion of fossil fuels and changes in land use (in particular deforestation).

This gas plays a fundamental role in the greenhouse effect. For example, the natural phenomenon by which certain atmospheric gases absorb part of the infrared radiation emitted by the earth. Similarly, The co₂ thus contributes to reheating the surface. Nevertheless, If this effect is essential for life on our planet. In addition, its amplification by human activities leads to the modifications of the climate whose consequences we already feel and which will further increase.

Climate change already leads to major impacts: elevation of the level of seas. Furthermore, intensification of extreme events, see planet breathe space, how reduction of glaciers, modification of precipitation regimes, and upheavals for ecosystems and human societies.

Carbon cycle: exchange mechanisms between ecosystems destabilized by emissions from human activities

But beyond its driving role in climate change. Similarly, the CO₂ Also intervenes in complex feedbacks within the carbon cycle.

Unfortunately, disturbances on the carbon cycle question. In addition, Today. In addition, around 55 % of CO emissions₂ are naturally absorbed by the oceans (where it dissolves) and by terrestrial vegetation (via photosynthesis), which play the role of “carbon wells”. This absorption partially reduces the accumulation of CO₂ in the atmosphere. However. these carbon wells (ocean and vegetation) are sensitive to climate change itself, which therefore leads to “feedback” between climate and carbon cycle.

For example, what will be the consequences if they become less effective because, for example, of the recurring drought that reduces the ability of a forest to absorb carbon, or other negative impacts of climate change on ecosystems? Similarly. global warming leads to conditions favorable to fires, which can thus become additional and significant sources of CO₂ towards the atmosphere.

The signatory states of the Paris Agreement (2015) have undertaken to reduce their emissions in order to limit global warming to less than 2 ° C. and even to remain as close as possible by 1.5 ° C. In 2024. the objectives appeared to be difficult to achieve because, even if the emissions of certain countries began to see planet breathe space, how decrease, the emissions continue to grow overall.

In this context. it seems necessary, on the one hand, to have an independent system to follow CO emissions₂ to national scales and, on the other hand, to follow the evolution of natural flows in response to climate change. This involves a dense and continuous observation of atmospheric concentrations of CO₂.

Measured carbon absorptions. emissions on a planetary scale is a technical challenge

Today, we measure the atmospheric concentration of CO₂ Close to the surface, over a hundred stations very unevenly distributed on earth. The most iconic data series is that of Mauna Loa. at the top of one of the islands of the Hawaii archipelago, which describes the atmospheric composition continuously since 1958. Since then, several observation networks have been set up and grouped for Europe in the ICOS program in 2015.

Some specific measurement campaigns provide. moreover, a description resolute on see planet breathe space, how the vertical from the surface to almost 30 kilometers above sea level.

Despite these observations, the density of observations remains very insufficient for the scientific and societal objectives described above. This is why satellites provide a necessary complement. with a measure certainly less precise than those of observations on-sitebut with a much higher density.

An international dynamic for fifteen years

In intergovernmental international geo see planet breathe space, how reports (intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations) or CEOS space agencies (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites), groups of experts are unanimous to recognize the need for co -measure₂ Since space.

Thus, the Jaxa (Japan) and then NASA (United States) launched, in 2009, to the extent of the CO₂ Since space.

In recent years. China has also had an ambitious specific program, with many sensors using various technologies already in orbit, but unfortunately whose data remains very little distributed to the international community (communication between agencies).

In Europe. the European Commission has extended its operational environmental surveillance space program (called Copernicus, the implementation of which has been entrusted to the European Space Agency, ESA) – whose monitoring missions of the atmospheric CO₂ are a priority. Thus. data from the European CO2M mission is expected by the end₂ Thanks to a spatial resolution of four square kilometers and a mowing of more than see planet breathe space, how 200 kilometers allowing to obtain an image of the plumes from intense emissions located.

With the launch planned this summer of its Microcarb mission. developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom Space Agency and the European Commission, the National Center for Spatial Studies (CNES) will open the way in Europe to precise data of co-concentration₂.

The Microcarb mission

Microcarb is a microsatellite of approximately 200 kilograms equipped with a spectrometer. This measures solar radiation reflected by the earth’s surface, after a double crossing in the atmosphere. The very high spectral resolution measure makes it possible to identify the absorption lines of the CO₂whose intensities can. be connected to the quantity of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

With sophisticated tools that take into account the entire physics of the interaction between solar radiation. the molecules of the atmosphere, we can deduce an estimate of the atmospheric concentration of Co₂ With an accuracy see planet breathe space, how of approximately 0.25 % over an area of approximately 40 square kilometers.

The satellite is on a heliosynchronous orbit to make measurements around noon, which allows a solar light of a necessary intensity. This mission will therefore ensure continuity with the previous missions. in particular that of NASA whose prosecution seems to be strongly compromised following the forecast budget of the Trump government for 2026, especially for the Earth Sciences.

In see planet breathe space, how addition. the microcarb spectrometer is based on an innovative optical concept by its compactness permitted by the use of a single detector for all of the measurement channels and an unprecedented spectral strip for improving the measurement accuracy. Depending on Microcarb’s performance, these innovations could be taken up for the next missions already in preparation.

See see planet breathe space, how the planet breathe from space. or how to measure satellite greenhouse gases by Carole Deniel, responsible for atmospheric and climate composition programs, National Center for Spatial Studies (CNES) and François-Marie Bréon, physicist-climatologist, researcher at the climate and environmental science laboratory, Paris-Saclay University

This article is republished from the conversation under the Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Also read on Goodplanet Mag ‘

The increase in greenhouse gas concentrations removes humanity from the objective of confining. global warming to 1.5 degrees

Satellites for the Internet may represent 1 luminous object out of 15 in the starry sky in a few years