The US's Plan to Shut Down NASA Satellites

The US has reportedly asked NASA to prepare to shut down two major satellites that monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and crop health. NPR first reported on this plan, and NASA stated the missions were "beyond their prime mission" and aligned with the President's agenda and budget priorities. However, experts argue that these satellites remain the most sensitive and accurate globally.

What are Orbiting Carbon Observatories?

• OCO's Purpose: Designed to observe atmospheric CO₂ from space to understand climate change characteristics.
• History:
  • The first mission, OCO, failed after launch in February 2009 due to a fairing issue.
  • OCO-2 launched in July 2014, measuring atmospheric CO2 and tracking crops via photosynthesis "glow."
  • OCO-3 launched in 2019 to the ISS, providing different observation times than OCO-2's sun-synchronous orbit.
• Current Status: Plans indicate the shutdown of both OCO-2 and OCO-3.

Importance of OCO Missions

• Scientific Impact: Revolutionized understanding of CO₂ accumulation globally.
• Policy and Strategy: Data aids in assessing emission reduction efforts and forming climate strategies.
• Discoveries:
  • Boreal forests' significant role in CO2 absorption alongside tropical rainforests.
  • Potential for natural carbon sinks to become emitters due to environmental changes.
• Crop Health Monitoring: Provides data for high-resolution maps beneficial for agriculture and drought monitoring.