On July 25, 2025, the French space agency CNES launched MicroCarb, Europe's first satellite dedicated to monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels globally. The mission aims to map sources and sinks of CO₂, the primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
MicroCarb is equipped with a dispersive spectrometer that measures CO₂ concentrations with high precision, providing valuable data to understand the carbon cycle and inform climate policies. The satellite is designed to operate for a minimum of five years, offering continuous monitoring of CO₂ emissions and absorption worldwide.
This mission represents a significant advancement in Europe's capability to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from space, contributing to global efforts in combating climate change.