Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), is pleased to unveil the Carb-Chaser project —this program is based on a constellation of new-generation satellites that will be specially designed to detect and measure human-induced carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, in particular from industrial sites.
Carb-Chaser’s compact architecture will combine efficiency and cost control to meet the needs of carbon monitoring markets. The project is funded by the French government as part of the France 2030 stimulus plan and will allow the company to mature the payload, finalize constellation sizing and define the precursor satellite.
Image unveiled by EUMETSAT & ESA in May of 2023 © EUMETSAT & © ESA
Each Carb-Chaser satellite will carry a hyper-compact, multispectral interferometer. These highly innovative instruments are made possible by miniaturizing key technologies used in major programs, such as the Meteosat geostationary weather satellites, and Copernicus, with its 12 European environmental monitoring missions. They will offer the capability to locate individual CO₂ plumes and attribute their source to a specific industrial facility, even in complex atmospheric conditions (wind, aerosols, water vapor, etc.).
Based on a Thales Alenia Space proprietary patented technology, this multispectral interferometry approach marks a breakthrough in terms of dependability and performance, further enhancing the ability of these satellites to offer reliable operational data with shorter revisit cycles to establish an overview of industrial sites on a global scale.The future Carb-Chaser constellation will provide independent, verifiable and certified CO₂ measurements spanning the entire value chain, including carbon services markets. Thanks to its high-precision geolocation capability, emissions will be accurately attributed to specific industrial facilities. These data will then be verified by in-situ surveys performed directly at the sites concerned.
Measurements will also be certified by the French Space Agency (CNES), the European Space Agency (ESA) and scientific experts specializing in atmospheric studies. This official validation will ensure these data can be included in regulatory frameworks, especially for carbon quota systems and carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
Carb-Chaser will operate in synergy with existing European programs dedicated to measuring carbon emissions, such as MicroCarb and CO2M. MicroCarb is a scientific mission to assess CO₂ fluxes on a global scale.
CO2M will measure human-induced CO₂ on a regional scale, Carb-Chaser will monitor local-scale emissions. Carb-Chaser data will also be used in conjunction with data from the CO2M program to compile atmospheric inventories and track progress toward climate goals.
These three missions, while distinct, will complement and feed into each other to provide a global, integrated picture of carbon emissions and support international efforts to reduce the impact of human activities on the climate.
Led by Thales Alenia Space, the Carb-Chaser project brings together a consortium of dynamic French SMEs such as U-Space, WaltR, Everimpact, SPASCIA and QAIrbon, as well as the IRT Saint Exupéry technological research institute. Together, the partners will combine their expertise to accelerate the ecological transition while strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty. In addition to the scientific advances it will deliver, Carb-Chaser will have a direct economic impact on key regions of the French space industry, including Occitania, Brittany and the PACA region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur).
As part of the ambitious France 2030 strategy, Carb-Chaser reflects France and Europe’s determination to become world leaders in carbon emissions monitoring. This pioneering program marks a decisive step forward in efforts to combat climate change and opens the way to new markets for space technologies.
About France 2030
Devised in consultation with local and European business and academic partners, France 2030 offers the country exceptional resources to meet the ecological, demographic, economic, industrial and social challenges of today’s changing world. This unprecedented plan for innovation and industry reflects a dual ambition. First, sustainably transform key sectors of our economy — such as energy, automotive, aerospace, digital and space — through innovation and industrial investment. And second, position France not just as a player, but as a leader in the economy of the future.
About Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design and build satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately €2.2 billion in 2023 and has around 8,600 employees in 8 countries, with 16 sites in Europe.