Bezos-Backed Climate Satellite MethaneSAT Declared Lost After Technical Failures

A satellite supported by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for a critical climate change initiative has been declared lost in space, according to officials in New Zealand.

The MethaneSAT space probe, designed to measure greenhouse gas emissions with unprecedented accuracy, received funding from Wellington and the US-based Environmental Defense Fund.

However, after experiencing a series of technical issues, the satellite recently stopped responding to commands from its controllers on Earth.

"Clearly, this is a disappointing development," stated Andrew Johnson, a senior official at the New Zealand Space Agency. "Those in the space sector know space is inherently challenging. Each attempt, whether successful or not, expands the limits of our knowledge and capabilities."

The Environmental Defense Fund, which spearheaded the project, acknowledged the "difficult news" but affirmed its commitment to continuing methane-tracking efforts.

MethaneSAT was specifically designed to measure emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Obtaining precise estimates of methane emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide has proven challenging.

The MethaneSAT team described it as "one of the most advanced methane tracking satellites in space, measuring methane emissions in oil and gas producing regions across the world."

Promising Initial Data

Project lead Steven Hamburg noted that the initial data gathered by the satellite was "remarkable."

Hamburg wrote on LinkedIn, "Recent measurements in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico revealed emissions three to five times higher than estimated by the US environmental protection agency, while emissions observed in the South Caspian region are over 10 times higher than reported."

Launched in March 2024 aboard a SpaceX rocket from California, controllers first lost contact with the satellite on June 20, according to the MethaneSAT team.

Unrecoverable Loss

The team confirmed on Monday that the satellite had lost all power and was "likely not recoverable."

"The engineering team is conducting a thorough investigation into the loss of communication," MethaneSAT stated. "This is expected to take time. We will share what we learn."

Despite its shortened lifespan, MethaneSAT highlighted the mission as a "remarkable success in terms of scientific and technological accomplishment."

Bezos invested over US$100 million in the project through his philanthropic Earth Fund. The satellite's demise followed a series of technical malfunctions. It repeatedly entered sleep mode unexpectedly, requiring engineers to perform lengthy resets. Additionally, one of its three thrusters failed.