Archive · 2 Jul 2025
Bezos-Backed Satellite on Climate Mission Lost in Space
Imagine a special space camera called MethaneSAT that was supposed to measure a harmful gas called methane, which makes the Earth warmer.
It was funded by Jeff Bezos and others.
The satellite had some problems and stopped working.
It was sending back important information, like how much methane is in the air.
It showed that some places had a lot more methane than people thought.
Unfortunately, the satellite is now lost, but scientists are still learning from the data it collected.
MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to measure greenhouse gas emissions, has been lost in space.
The project was backed by Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund and other organizations.
The satellite experienced technical issues, including thruster failure and unexpected sleep modes.
Initial data showed methane emissions in some regions were higher than previously estimated.
Controllers lost contact in June 2024 and confirmed the satellite was likely not recoverable.
- Who
- The satellite was backed by Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund, the New Zealand Space Agency, and the Environmental Defence Fund.
- What
- MethaneSAT, a climate change-monitoring satellite, was lost in space.
- When
- Controllers lost contact with the satellite in June 2024.
- Where
- The satellite was in space, and its data collection focused on regions globally.
- Why
- MethaneSAT was designed to measure methane emissions to better understand climate change.
- Satellite Name
- MethaneSAT
- Mission
- Measure greenhouse gas emissions
- Funding Sources
- Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund, New Zealand Space Agency, Environmental Defence Fund
- Launch Date
- March 2024
- Loss of Contact
- June 20, 2024
- Likely Status
- Not recoverable
- Notable Finding
- Methane emissions higher than estimated in certain regions