"An $88 million satellite backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos that detected oil and gas industry emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane has been lost in space

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

"An $88 million satellite backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos that detected oil and gas industry emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane has been lost in space.

MethaneSAT had been collecting emissions data and images from drilling sites, pipelines, and processing facilities around the world since March, but went off course around 10 days ago, the Environmental Defense Fund, which led the initiative, said."

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bezos-backed-methane-tracking-satellite-is-lost-space-2025-07-01/

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

"MethaneSAT — which made its findings publicly available — was able to detect relatively small methane leaks over mid-sized areas. Its primary focus was methane detection, particularly from oil and gas production and distribution, while some of the other satellites have a wider variety of purposes and not all make their findings public."

https://www.ft.com/content/9d2a2842-09e8-4d14-addf-cbac4adaf95e

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

And also: End of OCO?

"The Trump administration has asked NASA employees to draw up plans to end at least two major satellite missions.

The data the two missions collect is widely used, including by scientists, oil and gas companies and farmers who need detailed information about carbon dioxide and crop health. They are the only two federal satellite missions that were designed and built specifically to monitor planet-warming greenhouse gases."

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/04/nx-s1-5453731/nasa-carbon-dioxide-satellite-mission-threatened

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

"As Congress returns to session this month, the fate of two satellites that have become integral to climate science hangs in the balance.

The Trump administration has proposed cutting funding for the satellites, which are in good working order and provide some of the best data on carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.

A 2023 senior review for operating missions determined that OCO-2 was in “excellent condition” and had enough fuel to operate until 2040. "

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/08092025/nasa-carbon-dioxide-satellites-trump/

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

"The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Friday a rule to end a mandatory program requiring 8,000 facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions.

The rule responds to a day-one executive order issued by Donald Trump aimed at removing barriers to unleashing more US energy, particularly fossil fuels. It is the latest in a series of major regulatory rollbacks undoing previous US efforts to combat the climate crisis."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/12/environment-greenhouse-gas-reporting-end

[cellomomoncars@mastodon.social]

Who wants to buy a satellite: In good working conditions, cheap to run, multiple benefits.

"This satellite didn’t just meet expectations; it became known as the gold standard for space-based carbon measurements. Data from OCO-2 has even supported farmers by informing them about crop health and helping predict drought conditions. It’s a reminder of how scientific tools can quietly work behind the scenes to protect our planet and support communities."

https://www.africaninspace.com/space/nasa-ordered-to-destroy-fully-functional-carbon-monitoring-satellite-despite-its-vital-climate-data-contributions-49273/