Bezos-Backed Methane-Tracking Satellite Suffers Critical Failure in Orbit

WELLINGTON: A climate change mission supported by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has suffered a setback as the MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track greenhouse gas emissions, has been lost in space, according to officials in New Zealand.

The MethaneSAT project, a collaboration between Wellington, the US-based Environmental Defense Fund, and Bezos's support, aimed to provide high-resolution measurements of methane emissions. However, the satellite has ceased communication with its controllers on Earth due to unresolved technical issues.

Andrew Johnson, a senior official at the New Zealand Space Agency, acknowledged the setback. "Clearly, this is a disappointing development," Johnson stated. "Those who work in the space sector know, space is inherently challenging, and every attempt, successful or not, pushes the boundaries of what we know and what we're capable of."

The Environmental Defense Fund, spearheading the project, described the news as "difficult" but affirmed their dedication to methane-tracking initiatives.

MethaneSAT's primary objective was to measure emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change by trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere. Obtaining accurate estimations of methane emissions from global oil and gas operations has been a persistent challenge.

The MethaneSAT team highlighted the satellite's advanced capabilities, stating, "It was one of the most advanced methane-tracking satellites in space, measuring methane emissions in oil and gas-producing regions across the world."

Early Data Showed "Remarkable" Results

Project lead Steven Hamburg emphasized the significance of the preliminary data acquired by MethaneSAT.

Hamburg noted on LinkedIn that "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 initially lost contact with the satellite on June 20, as reported by the MethaneSAT team.

Unlikely to Recover

The team confirmed that the satellite had lost all power this week, stating that it was "likely not recoverable."

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

Despite its limited operational lifespan, MethaneSAT lauded 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 problems. It would enter a sleep mode unexpectedly, requiring engineers to perform time-consuming resets. Additionally, one of its three thrusters malfunctioned.