$88m pollution-tracking satellite missing in space

Title: $88 Million Pollution-Tracking Satellite Lost in Space Summary: MethaneSat, an $88 million satellite designed to monitor and track greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production, has been lost in space. The satellite, a joint project between the Environmental Defense Fund and Harvard University, was launched in December 2022 but has since lost contact with ground controllers. The satellite was intended to provide high-resolution data on methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, to help identify and address sources of pollution. Its disappearance is a significant setback for efforts to combat climate change by improving the monitoring and reporting of emissions from the energy sector. While the cause of the satellite's loss is still under investigation, the incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with complex space-based environmental monitoring projects. The loss of this crucial tool will impact the ability to accurately measure and mitigate the impact of methane emissions on the environment.