Challenge Finalists

The six teams invited to the 2023-24 Space for Planet Earth Online Finals and Awards Event (15 Mar 2024) were:

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL: 

Methane Mavericks (Newham, Australia)

We are Olivia and Khoa, the Methane Mavericks! We both share a passion for the environment and climate action, and are united by our common interest in technology and innovation. We were both overjoyed to have the opportunity to be a part of the SpaceBase Challenge incubator throughout 2023 and early 2024 and look forward to hearing all about the other participants solutions to the methane-emissions challenge. We both gained valuable knowledge throughout our SpaceBase incubator program related to programming, AI, pitching and marketing, networking, and design and prototyping, all skills we will keep and build on for the rest of our lives. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity SpaceBase provided us with the 2023 Challenge.

Cashmere Space Club (Christchurch, New Zealand)

We are a group of Y12–Y13 high school students from the Cashmere High School Space Club in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Our solution to the Space for Planet Earth Challenge 2023- 2024 is a Profitable way for farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist New Zealand to report more accurate GHG inventories to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

This is made possible by leveraging the New Zealand Government’s investment in the recently launched satellite called Methane SAT. Specifically, by studying the detailed design of the measuring instruments and exploiting design opportunities in its construction, we can then exploit these opportunities in conjunction with special tasking maneuvers to increase the Methane measuring capability to such a level that it now makes it possible to measure methane to a farm-by-farm level.

Our team’s solution leveraging satellite technology can have a global impact towards combating climate change.

USBONG ME – Unified Students By Observing National Global Methane Emissions (Ilo-ilo, Philippines)

For the people; and by the people. We are the team USBONG ME – the Unified Students By Observing National Global Methane Emissions. Coming from the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo, we are seven curious and enthusiastic students aiming to find solutions for climate change by detecting minor methane emissions in rice paddies. Using Arduino-based sensors and sustainable, cost-effective materials, we plan to develop methods on detecting methane emissions that are feasible, accessible, and at the same time benefit the agricultural sector on a larger scale.

UNIVERSITY/STARTUP LEVEL: 

Interplanetary Exploration Institute – Methane Fingerprinting with Laser Heterodyne Radiometry (Sydney, Australia)

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas under immense scrutiny to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The Interplanetary Exploration Institute with Macquarie University is developing a laser heterodyne radiometer – a next generation space-based instrument – to detect and fingerprint methane thereby revealing its source type e.g., natural gas vs coal seam vs agriculture. This type of fingerprinting is the primary barrier to effective emissions accounting and regulation.

The multidisciplinary team is combining signal processing, optics, geospatial analytics, environmental science, and agricultural expertise to increase the sensor’s Technology Readiness Level from 3 to space deployed. As part of the Challenge, the team will explore addressable markets and refine its business case. 

Project AIM – Assessing Methane Information (Metro Manila, Philippines)

Project AIM, a passionate team of space researchers, geologist, and electronics engineers, is dedicated to leveraging space technology for actionable climate insights. Our team’s unique blend of expertise in satellite data analysis, internet of things (IoT) technologies, and climate modeling fuels our mission: to harness the power of space tech to provide critical environmental insights for real-time decision-making and proactive solutions to climate challenges.

University of Otago – Satellite-based AI Emulators for Efficient Monitoring of Agricultural Methane Emissions (Dunedin, New Zealand)

“The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced satellite remote sensing, atmospheric transport models (ATMs), and artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a powerful beacon of hope in the global fight against climate change. By leveraging these innovative technologies, researchers from the University of Otago are focusing on developing disruptive tools to accurately identify and quantify methane emissions, one of the most potent greenhouse gases.”