Orbital Sciences Corporation

Orbiting Carbon Observatory

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO*) satellite was designed to make the first space-based measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), an important greenhouse gas. Scientists believe fossil fuel use and other human activities have almost doubled the concentrations of this gas since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is an efficient greenhouse gas because it absorbs and traps infrared radiation (heat) emitted by the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping to space. OCO measurements were intended to help scientists to better understand how increasing CO2 concentrations is driving climate change around the globe. Orbital built the spacecraft under contract from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Performance:

Orbit: 705 km/98.2° Inclination
Power: 521 W orbit average
Mass: 447 kg (985 lbs)
Mission life: 24 months

Status:
Launch failure

Customer:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Mission:
NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program

Quick Facts
* Each carbon dioxide molecule includes one carbon atom (C) sandwiched between two oxygen (O) atoms, forming a linear molecule, with the structure O=C=O

All animals release CO2 into the atmosphere as a by-product of metabolism. Plants absorb CO2 from the air and use it, sunlight, water and oxygen to produce their own energy (photosynthesis). Nearly everything we eat comes directly or indirectly from this "carbon cycle."

Dr. David Crisp of JPL will be the principal investigator for the mission, which includes more than 19 university, corporate and international partners.

Check Out
NASA's OCO web page Web Site

<< Back