GREENHOUSE GAS SATELLITE MISSIONS PORTAL

Database of Controlled Release Experiments

Controlled releases are used to validate remote sensing of greenhouse gases, in particular from satellites. A known quantity of a greenhouse gas is released into the environment from a known location, timed to coincide with a satellite overpass. The value measured by the satellite can then be compared with ground measurements to validate the performance of the instruments.

In collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), CEOS has developed this database of controlled release experiments with the aim of being a central point of information about planned and completed controlled release experiments, to validate space-based and airborne instruments measuring greenhouse gases. The goal is to maximise the value of these experiments that inherently release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for validation purposes.

All greenhouse gas satellite operators are encouraged to sign up to the mailing list which will send notifications of planned experiments such that satellites can be tasked appropriately. Organisations who are planning or have previously conducted controlled release experiments are encouraged to submit details of these events via the form below.

The table below presents a searchable summary of past experiments, alongside relevant meteorological data. The various filters can be used to find an experiment at a date and time that meets a project's needs. Users are directed to the links in the notes column for further details, including more detailed meteorological data, to support detailed analyses.

Campaigns

The database details experiments from various campaigns, which include a series of releases which occurred over a number of days or months, each coinciding with a specific satellite's overpass. These include:

• TADI (TotalEnergies Anomaly Detection Initiatives); Mont, France:
  • June 2024
  • November 2024
• Stanford University; Casa Grande, Arizona, USA and Evanston, Wyoming, USA:
  • Phase 0 (Aug - Dec 2024)
  • Phase 1 (Jan - Mar 2025)
  • Phase 2 (Apr - Jun 2025)
  • Phase 3 (Jul - Sep 2025)
  • Phase 4 (Oct - Dec 2025)

Please use the filter option on the table below to view the experiments under each campaign.

Submit a past or planned experiment to the database