AIRMO targets energy sector methane leaks with multi-layered space-tech platform

Space-tech startup AIRMO is developing a multi-layered monitoring platform to detect and quantify methane emissions across the energy industry. The system aims to digitize leak detection by integrating data from drones, aircraft, and satellites, reducing the industry's reliance on manual inspections.

Founded in 2022, AIRMO utilizes a technical combination of microlidar technology and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrometers to identify and measure methane leaks. The company is currently validating this technology through airborne campaigns. As part of its long-term scaling strategy, AIRMO has partnered with EnduroSat to launch its first dedicated satellite by the end of 2027.

The shift from manual monitoring

For decades, the oil and gas industry has relied primarily on manual ground inspections. Technicians using handheld devices must physically visit sites to find leaks, a process that is time-consuming and expensive. This traditional approach is particularly inefficient for large-scale facilities or offshore platforms where physical access is limited.

As regulatory pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions increases, energy companies are seeking scalable, continuous monitoring solutions. The financial incentive is equally high; according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), methane abatement could unlock or recover approximately 200 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually that would otherwise be lost to leaks, venting, and flaring.

Industry implications

Methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, making the reduction of fugitive emissions a critical component of global decarbonization goals. By shifting to a hybrid model of satellite and airborne monitoring, AIRMO intends to make high-frequency surveillance economically viable for operators.

This is especially relevant for high-emission upstream regions in North Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. "Our customers want to see as much data as possible and have continuous monitoring of their assets, but not with crazy overheads," said Daria Stepanova, CEO and co-founder of AIRMO.

Future outlook

The company's immediate focus remains the validation of its sensor arrays via aircraft to ensure quantification accuracy before moving fully into orbit. While the 2027 satellite launch marks a major milestone, the success of the platform will depend on its ability to integrate these disparate data layers into a single, actionable dashboard for energy operators. Industry observers will be watching to see if this multi-layered approach can provide the precision required to replace ground-level verification entirely.