MethaneSAT, one of the most advanced methane tracking satellites in space, had been measuring methane emissions in oil and gas producing regions across the world, in order to drive action to reduce planet-warming methane pollution.  Cutting methane pollution is the fastest way to slow down global warming.  

On Friday, June 20, the MethaneSAT mission operations lost contact with MethaneSAT. After pursuing all options to restore communications, the team determined that it is likely not recoverable. The engineering team is conducting a thorough investigation into the loss.  

In a year of operations, data from MethaneSAT has already lent critical insight into where and how much methane is being released from oil and gas production areas. MethaneSAT captured hundreds of scenes of methane emissions from the global oil and gas industry, and that data will continue to be released as planned in the coming months.  

Environmental Defense Fund and MethaneSAT say they remain firmly committed to turning data into action to protect the climate, including reducing methane emissions from the global oil and gas industry. The aircraft-based MethaneAIR, a sister project to MethaneSAT, is resuming previously scheduled methane-measurement flights over North American oil and gas producing regions next week.  EDF says it will also continue its longstanding leadership on methane reduction policies internationally and within the U.S., as well with leading oil and gas companies that have pledged to reduce methane pollution. 

The MethaneSAT team will also be working with partners around the world to leverage the technology developed as part of the MethaneSAT mission, so the world has access to high quality, actionable greenhouse gas emissions data on a global basis.