TALISMAN

Objectives of the Product

The TALISMAN activity aims to address key challenges in methane detection applications through the development of an advanced optical instrument. SATLANTIS, by collaborating with INTA, enhances its iSIM technology with polarimetric capabilities, specifically targeting Earth observation in the Visible (VIS) and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) spectra. This upgraded iSIM-90 payload significantly improves methane detection, crucial for various stakeholders.

For mission developers and operators, acquiring suitable instruments for methane detection is often difficult, leading to costly ad-hoc solutions. SATLANTIS’ solution integrates into satellite systems, offering a cost-effective and efficient approach.

Methane-emitting industries face pressure to monitor emissions accurately. SATLANTIS’ technology ensures compliance with environmental guidelines, providing dynamic, precise emissions data to aid sustainability efforts and regulatory compliance.

Governments and public institutions require comprehensive methane data. This SATLANTIS’ solution complements existing datasets, facilitating innovative, sustainable practices and aiding ambitious environmental agendas. In summary, the TALISMAN project addresses the need for accurate, cost-effective methane detection solutions, benefiting mission developers, industries, and governmental bodies alike.

Customers and their Needs

The targeted customers/users for the developed product, primarily major players in the Oil & Gas sector and energy industries, face several challenges. Mission developers struggle to find payloads in the market that meet desired functionalities, particularly for methane measurements in complex environments with cluttered backgrounds. Methane-emitting industries encounter limitations with commercially available satellite imagery, hindering accurate emissions monitoring in noisy environments with aerosols. Similarly, Governments and Public Institutions lack reliable emissions data due to satellite imagery not optimised for changing environments, impacting their ability to develop sustainable practices and meet ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) agendas.

To address these challenges, our solution, the TALISMAN standardised technology, optimises performance in aerosol-impacted environments, providing dynamic and accurate emissions data. By complementing existing datasets, it facilitates the development of innovative, sustainable practices, aligning with the goals outlined in ESG agendas. Throughout the project, customers actively participate in defining user requirements, validating product performance, and selecting observation targets, ensuring the solution meets their diverse needs across various stages of development.

Targeted customer/users' countries

The activity primarily targets customers in the oil and gas sector across Europe and the United States. While these are our main focus areas, we are open to opportunities with various markets globally to address diverse needs and compliance requirements.

Product description

The TALISMAN project is developing an enhanced optical instrument, aimed at improving methane detection and quantification in environments affected by dust and aerosols. This instrument builds on the high-resolution capabilities of the SATLANTIS iSIM cameras by incorporating polarimetry into one of the two camera channels, refining its ability to analyse methane emissions.

System Components:

• Satellite: Hosts the instrument for primary data collection.
• Launch Segment: Manages all aspects related to satellite deployment and launch operations.
• Ground Segment: Handles communications and initial data processing.
• Data Segment: Enhances detection and quantification algorithms through the integration of data processing chains that utilise aerosol characterisation and polarimetry. This segment prepares and refines data for effective dissemination.
• User Segment: Facilitates the provision of processed data to final users.

Added Value

TALISMAN brings significant added value over existing methods by integrating advanced polarimetry with high-resolution imaging to enhance methane quantification accuracy in aerosol-affected environments. Unlike traditional methods, which often struggle with interference from particulate matter, TALISMAN employs polarimetric techniques to characterise and correct for these effects, significantly enhancing measurement precision. This capability is crucial for industries required to monitor and report emissions accurately for regulatory compliance and environmental assessments.

Furthermore, incorporating this sophisticated technology into the cost-effective and compact format of a SmallSat offers versatility and economic viability. It provides a lower-cost, higher-efficiency alternative to larger satellite platforms, making advanced methane monitoring accessible to a broader audience, including governments, environmental agencies, and the energy sector, thus positioning TALISMAN as a very convenient solution for global methane monitoring initiatives.

Current Status

The project has just started, with requirements being defined at the user, system, and instrument levels. Initial trade-offs are currently being accomplished to refine design and operational strategies. This work is setting the stage for the upcoming design and development phases.