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2024-09-01

Cutting-Edge Science|HKUST Partners with Jilin for Advanced Carbon Satellite Development Featured in Takungpao



On September 1, 2024, Prof. Hui Su, Global STEM Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Chair of Stellerus Technology Limited, was featured in an exclusive Ta Kung Pao interview on the university’s groundbreaking "Carbon Satellite" initiative.

Ta Kung Pao published the article


Pioneering a Carbon Satellite with Methane Monitoring Capability
Following its 2023 collaboration with Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., which successfully launched the HKUST-FYBB#1 Earth observation satellite, HKUST has now announced a second major space project. In partnership with the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the university is developing a next-generation carbon satellite that, in a global first, will also feature methane co-detection.
“Our goal is to complete the Carbon Satellite by the end of 2025,” said Prof. Limin Zhang, Co-Principal Investigator and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “With national support, scientists from Hong Kong and Macau are now participating in more large-scale scientific endeavors.”
Planned Launch to the China Space Station in 2026
The satellite is scheduled to be deployed to the Tiangong Space Station by 2026. It will monitor carbon dioxide and methane emissions across mid- to low-latitude regions worldwide, supporting both global climate mitigation efforts and enterprise-level carbon accounting.
This builds on the first collaboration between Hong Kong and Jilin: the HKUST-FYBB#1
multispectral optical satellite, launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on August 25, 2023. That satellite has already contributed to disaster response during Hong Kong’s historic “Black Rainstorm” last year.


Joint Breakthrough by Jilin and Hong Kong in Satellite Miniaturization
From June 18 to 20, the 2024 Changchun International Optoelectronics Expo was held. As mainland China’s first commercial remote sensing satellite company, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. showcased its flagship products at the event, including the  HKUST-FYBB#1 satellite, jointly developed with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Zhang Xiaolei, Director of the Office of Chang Guang Satellite, presented the satellite in detail:
“This satellite is based on the Jilin-1 Wideband 02A platform. From project initiation to successful launch, the development took about two years and involved several technical breakthroughs.”
According to Zhang, this satellite is the debut model in a new generation of wide-swath imaging satellites. Its payload is an off-axis four-mirror optical camera. While achieving performance comparable to the Jilin-1 Wideband 01 series, its total mass was successfully reduced from the 01 series’ 1,200 kg to just 230 kg. It can deliver high-resolution satellite imagery with a swath width of 150 kilometers and spatial resolution of 0.5 meters.

Lightweight Design Brings Cost and Performance Advantages
Zhang explained that satellite miniaturization and lightweighting are beneficial not only for reducing manufacturing and launch costs, but also for enhancing coverage and application performance. These improvements allow the satellite to respond more rapidly to needs and deliver real-time data, providing valuable support for decision-makers.
However, achieving miniaturization was no easy task.
“During development, we had to overcome multiple technical challenges,” Zhang noted, “including optimizing the satellite’s structure and ensuring the reliability of its deployable mechanisms.”
In particular, issues such as the deployment and vibration of the foldable panel structures posed high demands on the precision and stability of satellite imaging.
“Ultimately, thanks to the tireless efforts of both teams, these technical obstacles were successfully overcome.”

World-Class Innovation Beyond Western Standards
The launch of the carbon satellite will mark a major milestone. According to Prof. Hui Su, from the very beginning of the project, the teams in Hong Kong and Jilin aimed to design a world-class system:
“We weren’t trying to replicate what other countries have already done. We wanted a product that is both original and cutting-edge.”
HKUST eventually decided to collaborate with CIOMP (Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics) and the China Space Utilization Center to jointly design a globally advanced solution.
“Controlling methane emissions is a major global focus. Our project is unique compared to many international carbon-monitoring missions: we are not only measuring CO₂, but also methane, and doing so simultaneously—with a high level of precision. This is highly innovative, and I believe it represents a world-leading technology.”
Prof. Su added that after many rounds of discussion and technical evaluation, the team finalized the satellite payload’s mission: detecting point-source emissions.
“Point sources refer to specific emission sites, such as coal mines and power plants, which release large quantities of CO₂ and CH₄.
We aim to precisely measure these emissions, as they are some of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas accumulation. To do this, the system requires exceptionally high spatial resolution, enabling accurate facility-scale monitoring of emissions.”

Satellite Specifications: A Tale of Two Stars
HKUST-FYBB#1

1) Highest civilian-grade classification

2) Mass reduced from 1200 kg to 230 kg
3) 0.5m resolution, 150km swath width
4) 20x the resolution of ESA’s Sentinel-2



Top image: First batch of high-resolution satellite imagery transmitted by the HKUST-FYBB#1 high-resolution optical satellite.
Bottom image: A full-scale replica of the HKUST-FYBB#1 high-resolution optical satellite.

Carbon Satellite

1) Global high-resolution GHG observation system
2) Simultaneous CO₂ and CH₄ detection
3) Advanced point-source detection capability
How Satellite Technology Measures GHGs from Space
The satellite system is based on atmospheric absorption spectroscopy. CO₂ and O₂ have distinct absorption bands in the near to shortwave infrared range. By quantitatively analyzing these spectral signatures and correcting for environmental factors such as pressure, temperature, aerosols, and clouds, the system can calculate CO₂ concentrations along the observation path using inversion algorithms.
To achieve this, the satellite integrates:
Establishing International Cooperation Mechanisms to Combat Climate Risks Together
The launch of the carbon satellite will undoubtedly serve as a vigilant "eye in the sky" for Earth’s climate. According to Professor Hui Su of HKUST, once operational, the satellite will cover a vast range from 42° South to 42° North latitude, providing high-precision monitoring data on global carbon emissions, and supporting nations worldwide in jointly tackling the challenges of climate change.
Prof. Su explained that methane, the second most significant greenhouse gas, has an instantaneous warming effect approximately 80 times that of carbon dioxide. Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a relatively short period, its short-term impact on climate change is significant and must not be overlooked. The carbon satellite system will be able to accurately monitor emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases, providing a scientific basis for governments to formulate targeted mitigation strategies.
Furthermore, the satellite’s coverage zone coincides with the world’s most densely populated and industrially active regions, making it especially suited for global point-source emission monitoring. Whether in Singapore, Malaysia, or South Africa, the system will be capable of precisely capturing and analyzing emissions from key sites. These data will be shared via international cooperation mechanisms, offering vital support for countries developing emission reduction plans and climate resilience strategies.
“This system is not only designed to support China’s own carbon reduction goals,” Prof. Su emphasized,
“but also to assist multiple countries and regions worldwide in their climate actions. Through international collaboration, we hope to confront climate risks together and contribute to a better future for all humankind.”
Assessing Forest Carbon Sinks and Supporting Carbon Market Transactions
Speaking about practical applications, Prof. Su stated that the carbon satellite technology will help governmental environmental monitoring agencies devise carbon reduction policies and offer quantitative technical support to major emitters.
Specifically, the satellite can monitor CO₂ emissions from industrial sources, generate reporting and verification data, and help enterprises understand their emissions profile, leading to more accurate and tailored mitigation strategies. The satellite will also be able to track the long-term performance of carbon capture technologies, supporting evaluations of their effectiveness.
In terms of carbon asset management, the satellite will also play a critical role. Forests, as vital carbon sinks, have commercial value in carbon trading. However, accurately assessing their carbon sequestration potential has long been a challenge. According to Prof. Su, the satellite’s optical remote sensing capabilities will enable clear observation of forest growth conditions, allowing for more precise estimation of carbon sequestration capacity, thus providing robust data support for carbon markets.
She explained that, compared to traditional ground-based methods, the carbon satellite offers the dual advantages of wider coverage and greater clarity, complementing terrestrial observation. When monitoring indicators such as surface temperature, vegetation cover, and soil moisture, the satellite will enable more accurate assessments of both carbon emissions and storage for governments and researchers alike.

Source: Ta Kung Pao
Original link: https://bit.ly/3HVynH1