Bridging Regional Methane Data Gaps with the NarSha Constellation
Discover how the upcoming NarSha hyperspectral satellite constellation bridges the APAC methane data gap to drive actionable climate policy.
Unlocking the Missing Data Link: Bridging Regional Methane Data Gaps with the NarSha Constellation
Hosted by: Nara Space
Location: APRSAF-32 Side Event | ICONSIAM, 8th Floor, Meeting Room MR12, Bangkok, Thailand
Methane (CH4) drives over 80 times more near-term global warming than CO2, yet up to 90% of fugitive industrial emissions in the Asia-Pacific region go undetected. To address this pressing climate challenge, Nara Space is deploying its upcoming NarSha mission: South Korea’s first private, industry-led methane-monitoring hyperspectral microsatellite constellation.
As the architects and operators of NarSha, Nara Space will present the mission's technical capabilities, showcasing how high-resolution spaceborne point-source detection (>100 kg/h) can complement local sensor networks to eliminate monitoring blind spots, identify major emitters, and scale localized measurements into verifiable, data-driven emission baselines.
This side event is designed as an open, collaborative forum for APRSAF space agencies, energy infrastructure operators, academic researchers, and multilateral stakeholders to engage in a dynamic blend of technical briefings, expert panels, and open-floor dialogues around MRV standardization, methane mitigation strategies, and cross-border data integration and collaboration. Ultimately, this agenda is designed to translate next-generation orbital insights into tangible monitoring initiatives across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Speakers:
- Minsik Kim, VP, Business Development Nara Space Technology
- Chompunut Chayawat, Researcher, Geo- Informatic Development & Application, GISTDA
- Anis Zhafran, Research Analyst, Fossil Fuels, Hydrocarbon and Minerals (FOM) Department, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)
- Mark Lunt, Senior Scientist, Asia-Pacific Methane, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- Jihyun Kang, Program Manager, ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM)
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Highlights
- 3 hours
- In person
Location
ICONSIAM
8th Floor, Meeting Room MR12
299 Charoen Nakhon Road Bangkok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600
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Agenda
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Strategic Briefing: The NarSha Constellation & Data Access Architec
Discover the operational mechanics and science behind the NarSha mission—a planned constellation of 12+ microsatellites (16U, <25 kg) optimized for high-frequency revisits across the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will learn how NarSha’s integrated SWIR and VNIR hyperspectral sensors isolate and detect point-source methane leaks. The presentation will also outline streamlined data-sharing pathways designed to support and enhance national emissions inventories.
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Panel Discussion: Translating Orbital Data into Environmental Action
This moderated dialogue will feature a diverse panel of experts spanning government, industry, and international cooperation frameworks to examine the translation of satellite-derived methane data into enforceable climate policy, action plans and rapid disaster response strategies. The panel will provide a practical blueprint for how municipal, national agencies, as well as international organizations can leverage targeted, spaceborne monitoring to uphold regulatory compliance, mitigate fugitive emissions and strengthen local environmental governance.
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Opem Forum Exchanges
This collaborative open-floor session welcomes attendees, speakers, and subject-matter experts into a dynamic, multilateral dialogue. Participants are invited to share their unique regional perspectives, highlight current information blind spots, and discuss the operational or technology hurdles they might face in tracking and mitigating fugitive emissions. By exchanging best practices, this collaborative forum provides a space to explore how satellite data insights might bridge in-situ data gaps and lay the groundwork for future cross-border cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.