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• NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory is a satellite designed to map locations on the Earth where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed.The New York Times: NASA Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit (February 24, 2009) The data sent back by the satellite will be analyzed by scientists who could then use the information to better understand carbon's affect on climate change.OCO Mission

  On February 24, 2009, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory launched on NASA's Taurus XL rocket. The mission failed when the satellite failed to separate from the rocket and fell into the ocean near Antarctica.The New York Times: NASA Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit (February 24, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Orbiting Carbon Observatory was designed to measure levels of carbon dioxide and map the locations of emissions and absorptionMail Online: Nasa's 'Global Warming' Satellite Crashes in Antarctic Ocean... (February 24, 2009)
  2. Cost of project: $278 millionThe New York Times: NASA Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit (February 24, 2009)
  3. Launched on the Taurus XL rocked on February 24, 2009
  4. Launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California
  5. Orbit was to be about 400 miles above the Earth's polesABC News: Botched Launch Ends U.S. Satellite's Mission (February 24, 2009)
  6. Failed to reach orbit after Taurus XL's rocked failed to separate from the satelliteMail Online: Nasa's 'Global Warming' Satellite Crashes in Antarctic Ocean... (February 24, 2009)
  7. Failure of detachment happened about three minutes into the flightABC News: Botched Launch Ends U.S. Satellite's Mission (February 24, 2009)
  8. Fell into the ocean near AntarcticaMail Online: Nasa's 'Global Warming' Satellite Crashes in Antarctic Ocean... (February 24, 2009)
  9. NASA said the rocket that crashed into the ocean contained hydrazine fuel but it was not a danger to anyoneABC News: Botched Launch Ends U.S. Satellite's Mission (February 24, 2009)

• Taurus XL Rocket Crash

  The satellite was launched on board the Taurus XL rocket at 1:55 a.m PST on February 24, 2009. The $278 million failed when the satellite did not reach orbit and fell into the ocean near Antarctica.The New York Times: NASA Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit (February 24, 2009) The satellite's cover did not fully separate; an investigation board will officially determine the cause of the incident.ABC News: Botched Launch Ends U.S. Satellite's Mission (February 24, 2009)

• Carbon Dioxide Observation

  The intended purpose of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory is to measure carbon dioxide and map the sources, both natural and man-made. The data would then be analyzed by scientists who could then forecast climate change with greater precision.Mail Online: Nasa's 'Global Warming' Satellite Crashes in Antarctic Ocean... (February 24, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  NASA | Carbon | Carbon Tax | Carbon Footprint | Climate Change | Satellite Collision Falling Spy Satellite

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