"MethaneSAT is a really exciting opportunity to showcase New Zealand's science and research expertise on the world stage, while making a significant contribution to climate change by mapping agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases," Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods said in a statement on Friday.
"It's great to see Auckland University, with the help of Rocket Lab, playing such a key role," Woods said.
Mission Operations Control Center (MOCC) for the mission will be managed by Rocket Lab. Once it is running smoothly, it will be transferred to the Auckland Space Institute as the host.
"This international partnership will accelerate our capability in our rapidly growing space sector, increase our reputation for future space missions and provide vital data to support our own climate change policy," Woods said.
In addition to its agricultural emissions research, the New Zealand science team will work with the U.S.-based science team that's leading the mission's science on methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The U.S. team is led by the University of Harvard in close partnership with The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the minister said.
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