Closing tropical data gaps to resolve global carbon-budget uncertainties

A Phase A concept study selected by NASA in the Earth System Explorer mission proposal call.

Carbon-I Will:

  • provide global, monthly coverage for a complete carbon-cycle view

  • separate point sources from regional fluxes using fine spatial resolution plus multi-species data

  • deliver actionable information to decision-makers and industry.

Objectives:

  1. Identify, characterize, and quantify hotspots of CH4, CO2, and CO emissions across the globe

  2. Quantify global CH4, CO2, and CO monthly fluxes at unprecedented 12–100 km resolution

  3. Attribute and quantify the processes driving natural and anthropogenic fluxes

Mission Overview:

Carbon-I is the first to pair land-imaging spatial detail with high-resolution atmospheric spectra, providing unique insights into the atmosphere and land surface.

  • Measures CH4, CO2, CO plus tracers via SWIR absorption spectroscopy.

  • Maps land and coastal oceans monthly at < 400m, peering between clouds.

  • Zooms to 100 × 100 km targets at < 50m for regions with highest uncertainties.

  • More than just gases: Surface-mapping unlocks novel mineral and vegetation data, delivering new insights for the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Closing tropical data gaps to resolve global carbon-budget uncertainties