$88-million-dollar satellite used for tracking methane emissions has gone dark

A multi-million-dollar satellite launched to monitor oil and gas emissions has gone dark.

The $88 million project, funded by names like Jeff Bezos, was launched early last year. Now, the Environmental Defense Fund says the device has lost all power and is likely not recoverable. Project managers say they are still looking into what went wrong.

The satellite was designed to monitor methane usage and publicly release that data. Dairy groups have long voiced concerns over devices used for methane monitoring, saying the industry is often unfairly targeted.

Related Stories
Duane Simpson, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), joined us in Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on the USDA’s plan and potential impact on producers.
U.S. Farmers Navigate Harvest Pace, Costs, Policy Shifts
While treatable with a vaccine, anthrax is a dangerous threat to cattle herd health if not identified and treated immediately.
Smaller flocks and lower lay rates are pressuring table egg supplies, even as hatchery activity edges higher.
Smaller slaughter numbers across beef and pork signal tighter supplies into late 2025, while record-low veal production highlights ongoing structural changes in the sector.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines how producers should navigate evolving Farm Bill provisions and prepare their operations for the next crop year.
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
Join the conversation on RURAL AMERICA LIVE — Tonight at 7:30 PM ET, only on RFD-TV.