Seeing the Invisible by Mark Whalen Environmental Disaster Tracked by Methane Detectors

FEBRUARY Jet Propulsion 2016 Laboratory VOLUME 46

NUMBER 2

Seeing the invisible By Mark Whalen Environmental disaster tracked by methane detectors

JPL is playing a key role in tracking JPL airborne instruments a major methane leak at the Aliso Can- have measured a methane yon natural gas storage facility north of Los Angeles. leak at Aliso Canyon. Using infrared cameras, the Environ- mental Defense Fund determined the leak has released 150 million pounds of methane into the environment since its discovery in October. Methane, a greenhouse gas, can be 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trap- ping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. NASA aircraft toting JPL’s Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and Hyper Spectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) have been studying the leak. “Methane is “The aircraft provide a snapshot of construct how the Earth’s atmosphere invisible but these instruments are what methane gas plumes look like at moves in four dimensions.” able to see the concentrated plumes a given moment in time,” said Duren. Answers aren’t straightforward. Is of strong emission sources,” said JPL “But to interpret these observations, there a single plume of methane being researcher Riley Duren. we employ computer models to re- Continued on page 2

Ocean satellite working well By Mark Whalen Two JPL instruments are onboard Jason 3

Several weeks into their orbital mis- JPL manages Jason 3 and has pro- sion, the two JPL instruments on the vided a microwave radiometer and Jason 3 satellite have quickly begun GPS receiver for the mission, which producing valuable data on sea levels will begin full science operations after around the globe. a six-month checkout phase. Jason 3 “Initial results look very good,” said launched Jan. 17 from Vandenberg Air Project Manager Parag Vaze, who Force Base. and ocean forecasts, including helping added that the mission team is tuning Jason 3 will precisely measure the NOAA’s National Weather Service and calibrations before the satellite transi- height of 95 percent of the world’s other global weather and environmen- tions into an operational mode, which ice-free ocean every 10 days. The tal forecast agencies more accurately is planned for this spring. mission will improve weather, climate Continued on page 2 then slowlyreleased? ane isbeingtrappedinthesoiland around thefacility?Howmuchmeth there smallerplumesfrom otherareas released bythedamagedwell?Are torville toSanClementeIsland. seen 14monitoringstationsfrom Vic project whichfortwoyearshasover Project, interagency aninternational, for theLosAngelesMegacitiesCarbon Heisprincipalinvestigator California. a larger emissionsstudyinSouthern said. igating greenhouse gasemissions,he holders thatareaboutmit concerned national agenciesandotherstake decision making by local, state and struments are important.” like close-upiswhere theimagingin understanding whatthesource looks methane release,” saidDuren. “So stand theprocesses thatcontrol the uate themodels,andalsotounder aircraft isprimarilyusedtohelpeval the ocean.Combining oceancurrent much ofthesun’s energy isstored by ocean currents andtellscientistshow phy, reveal thespeedanddirection of height, orocean-surface topogra business management.” assurance, ground datasystems and ence, systemsengineering,mission including instrument engineering, sci pertise from many disciplines at JPL he said.“Team members brought ex tions were important to our success,” son 3,saidVaze. “Alloftheircontribu clones. forecast thestrength oftropical cy JASON 3 METHANE LEAK “The imagerywe’re gettingfrom the Southern California hasnumerous California Southern Duren hasbeenactivelyinvolvedin Data produced byJPLwillsupport Measurements ofsea-surface More than100JPLersworkedonJa Continued from page1 Continued from page1 ------ment facilities,refineries, naturalseeps landfills, oilfields,wastewatertreat methane sources—gas pipelines, an Organisation fortheExploitation of French spaceagencyandtheEurope (NOAA) inpartnershipwithNASA, the anic andAtmosphericAdministration of ElNiñoandLaNiñaevents. and coralreef research; andforecasts modeling crucialformarinemammal challenges suchasoilspills;coastal forecasts torespond toenvironmental cial shippingandshiprouting; coastal of tidesandcurrents for commer eling ofdeep-oceanwaves;forecasts erational applications,includingmod other scientific,commercial andop standing globalclimatechanges. and heat storage data is key to under added thatspecialobservationsby evolved over time,” said Duren. He of whentheleakstartedandhowit’s vide uswithanear-continuous history measurements onMountWilsonpro the tower network and the CLARS mental intheAlisoCanyonstudy. This instrument has also been instru instrument onageostationarysatellite. simulating animaginggreenhouse gas oxide, carbonmonoxideandmethane, day since2011tomeasure carbondi scanning theL.A.Basinseveraltimesa Remote Sensing,orCLARS,hasbeen Laboratory for Atmospheric California Wilson, anotherJPLinstrument,the through 2017. From its poston Mount around AlisoCanyon. an area ofabout120square kilometers the gasstoragefacilitybymappingout landfill andtheoilfieldfrom thoseof tangled the methane emissions of the Aliso Canyon,soDuren’s teamdisen large landfillandoilfieldrightnextto outthatthereand dairies.Itturns isa Jason 3isledbytheNational Oce Data from Jason3willbeusedfor “The sustainedmeasurements from The Megacitiesproject isfunded ------remote sensingandapplyanintegrat Aliso Canyoneventstarted,”hesaid. working on the task plan when this Energy Commission.“We were busy AirResourcesthe California Board and the AVIRIS andHyTESinstrumentsfor wide methanesurveythissummerwith reported, forJPLtoconductastate already underway, before the leak was results willlikelytakeseveralmonths.” ane wasreleased andvalidatingthose ren, “theanalysisofhowmuchmeth time-consuming. “Ultimately,” saidDu and interpretation are complexand processing, qualitycontrol, modeling unprecedented methanesource. Data lite were alsoarrangedtostudythis satellite andtheEO-1Hyperionsatel the JapaneseSpaceAgency’s GOSAT no longerleaking. Company onFeb.11saidthewellwas said Duren. contributing tothebroader endeavor,” someday globally, that’s whatJPLis across and LosAngeles,California, quantify greenhouse gas emissions ed systemsapproach todetectand www.nesdis.noaa.gov/jason-3. Ocean Topography missions.” son-CS/Sentinel-6 andSurface Water toward workingontheupcomingJa many ofthemare continuingforward important toJPLandtheteamsince said. “ThelaunchofJason3isvery ing excellentinstrumentsonplan,”he factors anddidagreat job deliver was neverdistractedbytheexternal opment challenges. launch vehicleprocurement anddevel work through variousprogrammatic, mission endured anumberofdelaysto to launchin2013,saidVaze, but the Meteorological Satellites. “To theextentthatwecanassistwith Duren alsonotedthatplanningwas Note: The Southern California Gas California Note: The Southern For more information, visit “I’m verypleasedthatourJPLteam Original planscalledforJason3 http:// ------

Universe 2 How theLabdoesitsworkisjustasimportantwhatitproduces JPL’s future:efficiency, innovation arekey “Right now, we have nosimpleway innovative initiativesacross theLab. practices istoshare informationon more quickly.” overhead togetimportantthingsdone support. Itis one exampleofreducing and focus on areas thatdeservemore more efficient andallowustoprioritize plish ourwork,”hesaid.“Thiswillbe strategically looksathowweaccom bine thetwofunctions,saidJames. oversight. Itmadesensetocom tegic armforJPLoperations Management Council,thestra initiatives, withtheLaboratory cil, responsible for funding JPL Operations ManagementCoun JPL recently consolidatedthe ing conditions.” our productivity, efficiencies andwork ensuring thatwecontinuallyimprove “There wasnooneentitydoingthat, vations across the Lab,” said James. broadly look at processes and inno up theLabManagementCouncilto on thisarea. phasized theimportanceoffocusing for gettingworkdone. edge initsprocesses and procedures that JPLisworldclassandleading duces. Lableadershipwantstoensure was justasimportant“what”itpro “how” theLabaccomplishesitswork 2025 strategy, itwasrecognized that One waytoachievebestbusiness “We willnow have one councilthat To moveforward inthiseffort, “Over thelasttwoyears,we’vestood Deputy Director LarryJames em During thedevelopmentofJPL’s - - - here’s thechancetopostyour ideaforaction.” somebody isalready lookingatthis. Ifnot, - - - - - “If you’ve gotagreat ideaofhowwe do things, firstyou canseewhetherornot most effectively. focused onhowtogettheirjobdone practice” tosparkinnovativeideas employees tocreate “communitiesof this wouldbeaddressed byallowing innovative efforts atJPL.Jamessaid cult tofindotherinnovativepeopleor several surveysthattheyfounditdiffi each other.” provide opportunitiestobenefit from like toalignthem, or at the veryleast efforts alongthesamelines, wewould capturing that.Ifthere are multiple the Lab,”saidJames.“We’re now that are beingimplementedacross of showingthegreat, innovative ideas we dothings,firstyoucan lookto ups. what’s doneinindustryandbystart at brainstormingmeetups,similarto ideas andconnectlike-mindedJPLers ject-matter expertstohelpdevelop er. The sitewilldirect userstosub processes worksmart and,inturn, new avenuestodiscoverinnovative will debutinthespring,provide Management heard from JPLersin “If you’vegotagreat ideaofhow A “ProcessGuru” portalsite,which JPL DeputyDirector Larry James - - - - JPL Deputy Director Larry James JPL DeputyDirectorLarry frontiers ofexploration.” the Labwillbekeytousreaching new our creativity and innovationacross JPL isincredible andfurtherenabling strategic perspective.Whatwedoat what wedo.It’s alsoimportantfrom a and improving theeffectiveness of major benefitsinreducing complexity incremental improvements canleadto may seemtotheideaoriginator. Many every day, regardless ofhowsmall they the creative ideasthatJPLersgenerate wanttocapture andbenefitfrom better idea?’,”saidJames.“We do thisbetter?’or‘DoIhavea tinuously thinking:‘HowcanI to postyourideaforaction. James. “Ifnot,here’s thechance is already lookingatthis,”said see whetherornotsomebody “We wanteveryonetobecon -

Universe 3 Energy from on high 4 Universe One JPL building now has something in common with the Opportunity rover on Mars—both are graced with solar panels. The Project Formulation Building (301) was recently equipped with a grid of 864 solar photovoltaic panels on its roof. The effort helps JPL meet mandated standards for federally owned facilities to increase their use of renewable energy. Facilities Energy Manager Steve Rig- don, who said the panels should generate about 285 kilowatts, expects the array installation to be completed by the end of February. This effort could also save the Lab more than $60,000 annually on electricity. Based on JPL’s typical power usage, the array is expected to deliver a total of Photo courtesy of Steve Rigdon about 487,000 kilowatt-hours per year. Installation of solar panels on Building 301’s roof is expected to be completed by the end of February. “To put that in perspective,” Rigdon said, “that’s the equivalent of the annual aver- new parking structure, is the next target. Solar provider SunEdison will maintain age amount of electricity consumed by Rigdon said the structure was de- and operate the new array on Building 45 homes.” signed “solar ready,” with pillars already 301. Through a web-based platform, JPL These figures are for Building 301 in place. Once installed, the array on the Facilities will monitor the system’s func- alone. But soon, the Lab plans to expand building will generate about 1 megawatt tionality and production, said Rigdon. the energy and cost windfall by placing of power. Rigdon expects construction to The work on 301 adds to JPL’s only solar panel arrays on other JPL buildings. begin in fiscal year 2017 pending approv- other solar solar photovoltaic system, a The bigger the building, the bigger the al of construction of facilities funding and 30-kilowatt array atop Building 302, in- savings. The largest available space, the could take a year to complete. stalled in 2007.

Steltzner named to National Academy which will search for water ice and other resourc- In recognition of his development of the Mars es from 62 miles above the surface of the moon. News Curiosity entry, descent and landing system and The principal investigator is also based at JPL. for contributions to control of parachute dy- Near-Earth Asteroid Scout will perform re- namics, JPL engineer Adam Steltzner has been connaissance of an asteroid, take pictures and Briefs elected to the National Academy of Engineering. observe its position in space. JPL will build and Steltzner, an engineering Fellow in the Sys- deliver the spacecraft, and the principal investi- tems Engineering and Formulation Division, is gator is based at JPL. chief engineer for the Mars 2020 project and is JPL will provide telecommunications and DSN also the manager of the Planetary Entry, Descent support for BioSentinel, which will use yeast and Landing and Small Body Access Office. to detect, measure and compare the impact of Election to the National Academy of Engineer- deep-space radiation on living organisms over ing is among the highest professional distinc- long durations in deep space. tions accorded to an engineer. JPL will manage Lunar Flashlight, which will look for ice deposits and identify locations where Lab will contribute to six cubesat missions resources may be extracted from the lunar sur- The first flight of NASA’s new rocket, the face. The project manager is based at JPL. Space Launch System, will carry 13 low-cost The Lab will provide telecommunications and cubesats to test innovative ideas along with an DSN support for CubeSat to study Solar Par- Adam Steltzner uncrewed Orion spacecraft in 2018. Six of these ticles, or CuSP, a “space weather station” to cubesat missions have contributions from JPL. measure particles and magnetic fields in space, JPL is providing telecommunications and and LunaH-Map, which will map hydrogen within Deep Space Network support for Lunar IceCube, craters and other permanently shadowed regions throughout the moon’s south pole. Happy birthday, Ed! 5 Universe Thom Wynne / JPL Photo Lab Thom In January, JPLers gathered in Pickering Auditorium to observe the 30th anniversary of Voyager 2’s flyby of Uranus while bidding a happy 80th birthday to Voyager project scientist and former JPL Director Ed Stone.

Richard McKay, 88, a retired technologist, died assings Dec. 6. P McKay joined JPL in 1959 and retired in 1992. L etters William “Billy Joe” Rowe, His work led to improved propellant for the space 86, a retired photographer, shuttle’s solid rocket motor boosters and the died Jan. 13. Delta rockets that powered the Spirit and Oppor- My family and I would like to thank my JPL colleagues and friends for their kind words and Rowe joined JPL in 1952 tunity rovers to Mars. He also earned a NASA In- thoughts over the passing of my 98-year-old and worked as a mo- ventions and Contributions Award for an efficient father. Your condolences, good wishes and flow- tion-picture editor and multi-load temperature control system. ers bought us great peace and comfort, and are photographer for every JPL McKay is survived by brothers Nevin, Lawrence greatly appreciated. project from Corporal to and Paul, and sister Eleanor Corley. Steven Bard Galileo as well as the Deep Space Network. Rowe also My family and I would like to thank my co-work- William Rowe documented and archived ers and the JPL community for their support JPL’s early motion picture over the long months of illness and subsequent George Born, 76, a retired engineer and manager, death of my wife, Cathy Ryne. Your compassion, collection. He retired in 1991. died Jan. 21. thoughts, condolences and generous support Rowe is survived by his daughter, Dana Spoone- Born, who worked at JPL in the 1970s and early have brought us comfort and are greatly appre- row; son Scott; grandsons Tyler and Casey; and 1980s, was instrumental in JPL’s early ocean altim- ciated. great-grandson Ryder. etry missions, serving as geophysical evaluation Mark Ryne A memorial will be held March 12 at 3 p.m. at manager for Seasat. He also contributed to Topex/ Matt Denny’s Ale House in Arcadia. Those wishing Poseidon, Mariner 9 and Viking, and supervised I would like to thank my JPL coworkers for their support during the recent passing of my mother. to attend are asked to contact his daughter Dana the Precision Orbit Determination Group. at [email protected]. Thank you for the lovely plant and your support Born is survived by his wife, Carol, and son Brett. during this difficult time. A memorial was held Jan. 24 in Boulder. Michael Sierchio 6

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