The MethaneSat, an $88 million satellite backed by Google and Jeff Bezos, has been lost in space after being launched just a year ago to monitor methane emissions from oil and gas production and other sources. The satellite, designed to collect data for five years, was meant to enhance transparency and aid in climate efforts by identifying the worst offenders of methane release, a potent greenhouse gas. Communication was lost ten days ago, and the overseeing NGO, the Environmental Defense Fund, believes the satellite is “likely not recoverable.” The loss of MethaneSat, coupled with the potential end of data collection from the European Space Agency’s TROPOMI instrument, presents a significant setback to global efforts in tracking and mitigating methane emissions.
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Analysis of tracking data from LeoLabs and Slingshot Aerospace indicates that Russia’s Cosmos 2553 satellite, suspected to be linked to a nuclear anti-satellite weapons program, is exhibiting uncontrolled spinning, suggesting potential malfunction. This incident follows earlier reports of erratic satellite movement, raising concerns about the status of Russia’s space weapon development efforts. US officials believe the satellite, launched in 2022, assists in the development of these weapons, although Russia denies such claims. The satellite’s unusual orbit and observed behavior have prompted increased scrutiny from both commercial and government space tracking entities.
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I find it both intriguing and worrying to hear reports suggesting that the US believes Russia launched a space weapon in the path of an American satellite. The timing of this alleged incident is certainly interesting, especially considering Russia’s recent attempts to garner support at the UN to ban the use of space weapons. The irony of a country advocating for peace in space while potentially engaging in hostile acts is not lost on me.
Analyst Bart Hendrickx’s observations about the combination of military and civilian payloads on the Russian satellite are indeed eyebrow-raising. It’s concerning to think about the implications of such a move, especially since it has not been seen before in Russian launches.… Continue reading
The recent news that the Pentagon believes Russia may have launched a counter space weapon into low Earth orbit is alarming to say the least. The thought of a weapon capable of attacking other satellites poses a significant threat not only to the U.S. government satellite in the same orbit but also to the entire network of satellites that the world relies on for everyday life. The possibility of a nuclear capability being involved in this space weapon only adds to the gravity of the situation, potentially rendering low-Earth orbit unusable for a significant amount of time due to the radiation from a nuclear detonation.… Continue reading
The news that the White House has confirmed the United States’ intelligence on Russian anti-satellite capability is alarming, to say the least. It seems like Russia has taken a page out of the GoldenEye playbook and is now exploring ways to disrupt satellite systems. This raises serious concerns about the potential consequences and the future of our national security.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the concept of detonating nuclear devices in space is not new. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, extensive testing was conducted to gather data on the effects of such explosions. The recent developments regarding Russia’s anti-satellite capability take this to a whole new level.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker