LAFAYETTE, Colo., April 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Canyon Technologies, RTX's
(NYSE: RTX) small satellite manufacturer and mission services
provider, announced the successful launch and initial contact with
the MethaneSAT satellite. MethaneSAT is the first satellite funded
by a nonprofit organization to accelerate more effective efforts to
reduce emissions of methane, a greenhouse pollutant responsible for
about 30 percent of today's global warming.
Blue Canyon provided its largest small satellite platform, the
Saturn-class bus, integrated with infrared spectrometers that will
be used to detect the colorless and odorless gas methane. This is
the fifth Blue Canyon Saturn-class platform to launch and operate
on-orbit successfully. Blue Canyon's platform offers robust power
systems, secure data handling and industry-leading guidance and
navigation with a 200-kg payload capacity.
"Blue Canyon Technologies' proven technical solutions will
support this critical mission for the future of our planet and the
continued exploration of Earth sciences," said Chris Winslett, general manager for Blue Canyon
Technologies.
MethaneSAT LLC, the organization behind the satellite, is a
subsidiary of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. The
donor-funded mission will provide global, high-resolution detection
and quantification of methane emissions.
"MethaneSAT is a unique and demanding mission that will provide
essential data we believe no other satellite can provide," said Dr.
Steven Hamburg, MethaneSAT Executive
Manager and Project Lead. "Blue Canyon Technologies was selected as
a best-in-class bus provider and has been a critical partner in
bringing this project to fruition."
Research says that cutting methane emissions from fossil fuel
operations, agriculture and other sectors as quickly as possible
using existing solutions could slow the rate of warming by as much
as 30 percent, which is critically important while working to
decarbonize the energy system. Data from MethaneSAT, the most
advanced methane tracking satellite in space, will help
policymakers and industry find and fix the problem faster and more
effectively.
About Blue Canyon Technologies
Blue Canyon
Technologies (BCT), RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission
services provider, offers a diverse portfolio of innovative,
reliable, and affordable spacecraft and components that enable a
broad range of missions and technological advancements for the new
space economy. The company currently supports numerous unique
missions with over 100 cumulative spacecraft orders.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX
pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we
connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses
– Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we
are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and
developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing
to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
The company, with 2023 sales of $69
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com
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SOURCE RTX