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Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)

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Status: Other
Mission Category: Earth System Science Pathfinder Program
Launch Date: February 24, 2009
Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA
Actual Completion Date: February 24, 2009

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was designed to provide space-based global measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) with the precision and resolution needed to identify and characterize the processes that regulate this important greenhouse gas. With its three high-resolution grating spectrometers, data collected by OCO could be combined with meteorological observations and ground-based CO2 measurement to help characterize CO2 sources and sinks on regional scales at monthly intervals for 2 years.

Shortly after launch on February 24, 2009, the fairing-a clamshell structure that encapsulates the satellite-on the Taurus XL launch vehicle carrying OCO failed to separate and OCO did not reach orbit.

Key Orbiting Carbon Observatory Facts

Mission/Portal Page: http://science.nasa.gov/missions/oco/
Altitude:Distance from sea level. 705km
Inclination: 98.2°
Local Node:Approximate time, at the equator when vehicle is directly overhead. 1:15 p.m.
Instruments: Three high-resolution grating spectrometers
Principal Investigator(s): David Crisp
Charles E. Miller

Related Publications:

Relevant Science Focus Areas:

  • Atmospheric Composition
  • Carbon Cycle, Ecosystems, and Biogeochemistry

Relevant Science Questions:

  • How does the Earth system respond to natural and human-induced changes?
  • How is the global Earth system changing?
  • How will the Earth system change in the future?

Science Goals:

  • Improve our understanding of the geographic distribution of CO2 sources and sinks (surface fluxes) and the processes controlling their variability on seasonal time scales. Validate a passive spectroscopic measurement approach and analysis concept that is well suited for future systematic CO2 monitoring missions.
  • Validate a passive spectroscopic measurement approach and analysis concept that is well suited for future systematic CO2 monitoring missions.

Related Applications:

  • Air Quality
  • Carbon Management
  • Public Health