A satellite designed to track methane emissions from space—backed by a $100 million grant from Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund—has been declared likely lost after unexpectedly falling silent. The $88 million MethaneSAT, launched in March 2024, stopped transmitting data on June 20 while passing over Norway, according to its operator, the U.S.-based Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
Despite numerous recovery attempts, the EDF now believes the satellite suffered a power failure and is no longer recoverable.
A Mission Cut Short, But Not in Vain
Developed to fill a critical gap in climate data, MethaneSAT was one of the most advanced satellites ever launched to detect methane—a potent greenhouse gas responsible for roughly one-third of human-induced global warming. The project aimed to monitor methane leaks from oil and gas operations worldwide, using high-resolution spectrometers capable of identifying emissions even at low concentrations.
Though its mission ended abruptly, MethaneSAT managed to collect valuable data during its brief operational period. EDF says the satellite delivered key insights into the scale and location of methane emissions from fossil fuel infrastructure. In several monitored regions, actual methane levels were found to be as much as ten times higher than officially reported figures.
This data is expected to influence both regulatory decisions and voluntary action across the energy sector, by providing more accurate, independent assessments of methane pollution.
A Powerful Climate Tool
Methane has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide—about 12 years—but is over 80 times more potent in warming the planet over a 20-year timeframe. That makes methane reduction one of the most effective short-term strategies for slowing climate change.
However, detecting methane has long been a challenge, especially when leaks are small or spread across vast infrastructure networks. MethaneSAT was designed to overcome these limitations by continuously scanning wide areas of the Earth with unprecedented precision. It helped uncover emission sources that had gone undetected or underreported, shedding light on the real extent of the problem.
EDF also developed software tools alongside the satellite to interpret measurements and convert them into estimates of the actual volume of methane being released—improving transparency and offering a scientific foundation for action.
Bezos Earth Fund’s Role
MethaneSAT was made possible by the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion climate-focused philanthropic effort launched by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The $100 million grant from the fund helped EDF build and launch the satellite, aiming to promote accountability in global methane emissions reporting.
The mission was part of a broader strategy to use space-based technology to advance environmental monitoring and combat climate change with better data and visibility.
Future Possibilities
Despite the setback, EDF has not ruled out the possibility of launching another satellite to continue MethaneSAT’s work. The organization emphasized that the mission provided a blueprint for how space-based tools can drive climate progress, even if the technology involved is complex and failure-prone.
No replacement mission has been officially announced, but the data collection methods and technological infrastructure created for MethaneSAT are likely to be used again—either by EDF or in collaboration with other climate-focused agencies and research institutions.
