Gyeonggi Province Successfully Launches Greenhouse Gas Monitoring 'Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 2'

Gyeonggi Province has successfully launched the 'Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 2 (GYEONGGISat-2A),' the nation's first greenhouse gas monitoring satellite and the second in its climate satellite program.

Following last November's launch of the first satellite, which observes climate disasters and urban changes, the province has now secured the second satellite capable of directly monitoring methane. This allows Gyeonggi Province to commence greenhouse gas management using satellite observation data.

On October 2, 2026, at 03:32 KST, Gyeonggi Province announced that the Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 2 was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite successfully entered its designated orbit and established its first communication with the ground station.

The Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 2 is a microsatellite equipped with sensors to detect sources of methane (CH₄) emissions in the atmosphere and measure their concentration. It can detect locations emitting more than 100kg of methane per hour with a spatial resolution of 25 meters and can observe areas measuring 10.5 km by 10.5 km in a single pass. Over the next three years or more, the satellite will undertake missions to monitor major methane emission sources, such as industrial complexes, power plants, and landfills.

Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide, it has a much stronger greenhouse effect, meaning rapid reductions in methane emissions can significantly curb global temperature rise. Therefore, it is vital to accurately identify emission sources and continually monitor changes.

Gyeonggi Province plans to use the observation data from the second satellite as direct measurement data to supplement existing greenhouse gas emission statistics and site-specific information. By confirming through satellite imagery which regions are hotspots for atmospheric methane at industrial complexes and power plants, Gyeonggi expects to gain a more precise understanding of greenhouse gas emission trends.

The data collected by the satellite will be integrated into the 'Gyeonggi Climate Platform,' which provides climate and environmental information for the province. Based on this, the province aims to develop a 'Greenhouse Gas Observation Map' to visualize methane emission trends at a glance, and employ these data in administrative decision-making—for example, in advising on greenhouse gas reduction for industrial complexes and developing carbon neutrality policies.

GYEONGGISat-2A is being launched. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Previously, on November 29, 2025, Gyeonggi Province launched the Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 1 (GYEONGGISat-1). The first satellite is a high-resolution optical satellite with a 1.5-meter grade resolution and serves to monitor changes in urban areas, farmlands, forests, as well as climate disasters such as floods, wildfires, and landslides.

Gyeonggi Province also plans to launch the Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 3 (GYEONGGISat-2B)—tasked with the same greenhouse gas observation mission as the second satellite—in the first half of 2027. With the addition of the third satellite, both the second and third satellites will be able to observe the same regions more frequently, allowing for shorter observation cycles and greater precision in tracking changes in methane emissions.

The province plans to build a three-satellite system by combining optical observation data from the first satellite with greenhouse gas data from the second and third satellites, thus enabling comprehensive monitoring of both climate disasters and greenhouse gas emissions. There will be no additional costs incurred for launch and operation beyond the initially allocated budget.

Cha Seong-soo, Director General of Gyeonggi Province's Bureau of Climate, Environment and Energy, stated, "The launch of Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 2 marks a critical turning point, as a local government utilizes space-based data directly for climate policy." He added, "We will ensure a smooth launch of the third satellite and operate the satellites over the next three years, using scientific data to identify greenhouse gas emissions and implement meaningful carbon neutrality policies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.