{
  "id": 2563413,
  "title": "Hong Kong-built greenhouse gas tracker device ‘functioning well’ on space station",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/hong-kong-built-greenhouse-gas-tracker-device-functioning-well-on",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-22T11:22:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364930/hong-kong-built-greenhouse-gas-tracker-device-functioning-well-space-station"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A greenhouse gas monitoring instrument developed by a Hong Kong university is functioning well on the Tiangong space station, according to the city’s technology minister. The Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), led by scientists at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, will provide accurate data on carbon dioxide and methane emissions for the next two years.\n\nSecretary for Innovation, Technology and Industries Sun Dong revealed details of MUSICO’s operation and Lai Ka-ying’s time on the space station. The device, smaller than a domestic washing machine, can precisely detect individual greenhouse gas sources on Earth. MUSICO is the world’s first lightweight, high-resolution observatory for carbon dioxide and methane.\n\nLai, who has been working at the space station for about three months, has completed experiments and studies alongside her team. Besides scientific work, she is responsible for daily station maintenance, health management, first aid, and emergency drills. Sun believes Lai has a demanding schedule.\n\nThe government has also sent nearly 400 local students to visit mainland China’s aerospace research bases during the summer break, aiming to inspire interest in space technology. Sun hopes more Hong Kong youth will see Lai as a role model and pursue careers in technological innovation.",
  "summary": "A greenhouse gas monitoring instrument developed by a university in Hong Kong is operating successfully aboard Tiangong space station and is expected to contribute to sustainable development, the city’s technology minister has said. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industries Sun Dong also revealed more details on Saturday about the life of the city’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, who he…",
  "key_points": [
    "Hong Kong-developed MUSICO greenhouse gas tracker operating well on Tiangong space station",
    "Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory led by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology",
    "Device can precisely detect carbon dioxide and methane emissions for next two years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Hong Kong-built greenhouse gas tracker device ‘functioning well’ on space station",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/hong-kong-built-greenhouse-gas-tracker-device-functioning-well-on-2567563",
        "published": "2026-08-22T11:22:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}