Taxpayer-funded MethaneSAT satellite likely irrecoverable after losing contact

Wednesday 2 July 2025 · 7 outlets · 4 reports · updated Wed 2 Jul 2025, 4:30pm

In this story University of Auckland, New Zealand Government

The MethaneSAT climate satellite, which received $29 million from the New Zealand government, has lost contact with the ground. The Environmental Defence Fund stated the satellite is likely not recoverable. Space Minister Judith Collins has declined to answer questions regarding the loss.

How they headlined it

6h

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1. RNZWed 2 Jul 2025, 9:47am

   Taxpayer funded satellite likely "irrecoverable" after losing contact with the ground (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZWed 2 Jul 2025, 10:03am

   Contact lost with $29m climate satellite, likely 'irrecoverable' (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldWed 2 Jul 2025, 10:26am

   Taxpayer-funded satellite likely not recoverable after losing contact with the ground (opens in new tab)

4. The PostWed 2 Jul 2025, 4:30pm

   Taxpayer-funded satellite likely ‘irrecoverable’ after losing contact (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)