Methane is difficult to be detected as it is colorless, toxic and
harmful for the environment, specifically, when there is leaking in the
natural gas pipelines. For dealing with this problem, NASA has developed
a light and small miniature gas sensor.
Gas pipelines are scattered and stretch for thousands of miles prone to
leaks, inspecting them is a job that is endless. Researchers at NASA’s
Jet Propulsion Labs and the University of California have designed a
sensor for detecting the gas on Mars, by sticking it on an unmanned
drone to check around. The space agency is testing a quadcopter
inheriting the miniature gas sensor for detecting the methane gas; it is
developed for testing the atmosphere of the red planet. The sensor
contains a laser spectrometer making it sensitive enough to smell out
the few parts per billion aiding it to detect the components of methane
gas if they are in smaller amounts.
Through the technology the small leaks can be fixed, before they become
major disasters. Researchers have named the sensor Open Path Laser
Spectrometer and it was tried out on several platforms, but suited best
on the unmanned aerial vehicles. The leak of methane gas is not only an
environmental hazard but if unidentified, they might cause a huge loss
of revenue over time. The system is undergoing flight tests in
collaboration with the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI),
the body that is funding the project.
NASA views the quadcopter as a great prospect for identifying the leaks,
due to being able to fly and hover vertically. In the project, the
tests of fixed-wing drones will also be done that can fly faster and
more far than the copter and can be more practical in the remote areas.
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