MethaneSAT's Operational Headquarters
In the realm of space exploration, the University of Auckland's Te Pūnaha Ātea - Space Institute has taken on a significant role with the launch of the MethaneSAT satellite. The Mission Operations Control Centre (MOCC) team, headed by engineer Chris Jackson, is now responsible for monitoring, controlling, and supporting the satellite's operations[1][3].
The primary mission of MethaneSAT is to monitor methane emissions, a critical component in combating climate change[2]. The MOCC's role includes scheduling imagery to capture data from the satellite's instruments, ensuring the satellite's operational health, and managing command and data handling[1][3].
The MOCC is equipped with functional capabilities for satellite operations management and works closely with the science team to collect methane emission data[1]. After Rocket Lab's initial 12-month operational period, the control was handed over to Te Pūnaha Ātea, which continues to maintain the mission operations and supports educational and scientific goals related to MethaneSAT[1].
The MOCC is part of the ground segment, alongside multiple antennas globally, including Near Earth Network Ground Stations in Chile and Norway, NASA's Awarua Ground Station, and students working on CubeSats at the University of Auckland[3]. The centre is also responsible for uploading and downloading data, as well as managing the spacecraft's health and safety, downloading engineering data such as temperatures inside and outside the spacecraft, voltages, battery and solar array information[3].
The MOCC's ultimate goal is to build up expertise and train students to become the next generation of spacecraft engineers and scientists, while ensuring the spacecraft's operations are safe, avoiding power overuse and data memory overfilling[3]. Despite the loss of MethaneSAT in late June 2025, Te Pūnaha Ātea continues to provide infrastructure and expertise for New Zealand's space industry[4].
[1] University of Auckland. (n.d.). MethaneSAT. Retrieved from www.methanesat.co.nz [2] Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). MethaneSAT. Retrieved from www.edf.org/methanesat [3] Te Pūnaha Ātea - Space Institute. (n.d.). Mission Operations Centre. Retrieved from www.space.auckland.ac.nz/mission-operations-centre [4] Te Pūnaha Ātea - Space Institute. (n.d.). MethaneSAT Loss. Retrieved from www.space.auckland.ac.nz/methanesat-loss
The MethaneSAT satellite, managed by the University of Auckland's Te Pūnaha Ātea - Space Institute, is primarily used for monitoring methane emissions to combat climate change. The Mission Operations Control Centre (MOCC), equipped with functional capabilities for satellite operations management, works closely with the science team to collect methane emission data and also employs technology to ensure the satellite's operational health and data handling.
