Hajra Naz
A methane-tracking satellite partly funded by Jeff Bezos is lost in space. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) confirmed the news on Tuesday.
The satellite, called MethaneSAT, cost $88 million. It had been collecting data on emissions from oil and gas sites since its launch in March 2024.
According to EDF, the satellite went off course around 10 days ago. Its last known signal was recorded over Svalbard, Norway, before it lost power and became unrecoverable.
“We see this as a setback, not a failure,” said Amy Middleton, EDF’s senior vice president. “We’ve gained valuable insights we wouldn’t have without taking this risk.”
A Critical Tool for Climate Accountability
MethaneSAT was a big step in EDF’s work to track and cut methane emissions. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. It traps more than 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
The mission supported global efforts to reduce methane. In 2021, over 120 countries agreed to cut emissions. At COP28 in 2023, 50 oil and gas companies promised to stop leaks and gas flaring.
Most satellites scan large areas. MethaneSAT focused on specific sources, such as drilling sites and pipelines. EDF also partnered with Google to create a public map showing methane emissions worldwide.
Investigation Underway
EDF has reported the satellite’s failure to U.S. agencies, including the NOAA, FCC, and the U.S. Space Force. Engineers are now working to determine the cause of the malfunction.
The project’s full cost reached $88 million, funded by a $100 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, along with support from Arnold Ventures, the Robertson Foundation, the TED Audacious Project, and other EDF donors. The New Zealand Space Agency was a key technical partner.
The organization confirmed it has insurance to cover the loss.
What’s Next?
It’s unclear if EDF will launch a replacement. However, the group says MethaneSAT proved the value of using precise tools to track emissions.
For now, EDF will continue its work using aircraft with methane-detecting sensors.
Setback Amid Political Shifts
The loss comes at a time when global transparency on methane emissions faces challenges. A recent UN report noted that major methane “super-emitters” have often ignored alerts about leaks.
Political action has slowed under President Donald Trump’s second term. His administration rolled back Biden-era methane rules. It also shut down key federal monitoring programs.
Despite losing the satellite, EDF says it will keep tracking methane. The group remains committed to fighting one of the world’s most harmful climate pollutants.
