Methane Remote Sensing

Lidar Mission

Atmospheric methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases that controls our climate on Earth. For a better understanding of climate change MERLIN (Methane Remote Sensing Lidar Mission) will provide accurate space-based measurement of the methane concentration in the atmosphere. For global and year-around observations CNES and DLR cooperate to develop and operate a novel space system that incorporates active remote sensing techniques. It is planned to launch the satellite in the time frame of 2028 with at least 3 years of operation in space.