Satellites capable of tracking pipeline leaks from space have recently been sent into orbit.

Startup company Orbital Sidekick has launched two of its Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellites, GHOSt 1 and GHOSt 2, into space to determine where hydrocarbons might be leaking from pipelines across the globe.

Source: Orbital Sidekick

In addition to analyzing hundreds of bands of light to detect the presence of hydrocarbons from such leaks, the satellites will also be used to detect shifts in ground vegetation that might signal subsurface leaks from buried pipelines.

Joining the two satellites, which were recently launched in April aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, are four more GHOSt satellites that will be launched by the end of 2023, thereby creating a network of satellites designed to help combat emissions along oil and gas pipelines.