Bezos-Backed Climate Satellite Declared Lost in Space After Technical Failures

WELLINGTON: A satellite supported by Amazon's Jeff Bezos has been declared lost in space, prematurely ending its crucial climate change mission, according to officials in New Zealand.

The MethaneSAT probe, designed to measure greenhouse gas emissions with unprecedented accuracy, received funding from both Wellington and the US-based Environmental Defense Fund. However, the satellite ceased responding to commands from Earth after experiencing persistent technical difficulties.

Andrew Johnson, a senior official at the New Zealand Space Agency, expressed disappointment, stating, "Clearly, this is a disappointing development. 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, which spearheaded the project, acknowledged the setback but affirmed their commitment to methane-tracking initiatives. MethaneSAT was specifically engineered to quantify emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change by trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere.

Obtaining precise measurements of methane emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide has proven to be a formidable challenge. The MethaneSAT team emphasized its 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."

Project lead Steven Hamburg highlighted the "remarkable" initial data gathered by the satellite. According to Hamburg's LinkedIn post, "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."

MethaneSAT was launched in March 2024 aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. Contact with the satellite was initially lost on June 20, according to the MethaneSAT team.

The team confirmed the satellite lost all power earlier this week and deemed it "likely not recoverable". An investigation into the communication loss is underway, with the team promising to share their findings.

Despite its abbreviated lifespan, MethaneSAT lauded the mission's "remarkable success in terms of scientific and technological accomplishment." Bezos contributed over US$100 million to the project through his Earth Fund.

The satellite's demise followed a series of technical issues, including repeated, unprompted entries into sleep mode, necessitating lengthy resets by engineers. Furthermore, one of its three thrusters malfunctioned.