description Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 Overview
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) is a NASA satellite launched in 2014 to measure global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations from a polar orbit. It features three high-resolution grating spectrometers that track the detailed molecular absorption of sunlight reflected by the Earth's surface. This precise measurement capability allows scientists to identify localized sources and sinks of carbon dioxide, significantly advancing our understanding of the global carbon cycle.
insights Ranking position
Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 ranks #34 of 187 in the Satellite ranking, behind QuickBird, ahead of ALOS.
help Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 FAQ
Why was the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite launched?
NASA launched OCO-2 in 2014 to precisely measure atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations globally from space. The mission is designed to help scientists understand exactly where and how CO2 is emitted and absorbed by the Earth.
Did OCO-2 have a predecessor that failed to reach orbit?
Yes, OCO-2 was the successful successor to the original Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-1), which was tragically lost in a launch failure in 2009. NASA approved the construction of OCO-2 as a complete re-flight of the original mission.
What specific metric does OCO-2 measure regarding CO2 molecules?
The satellite measures the column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of carbon dioxide with unprecedented precision, down to 1 part per million. It achieves this by measuring the sunlight reflected off the Earth's surface in three specific spectral bands.
What kind of data products are generated from the OCO-2 mission?
OCO-2 generates detailed global maps that highlight both the heavily concentrated CO2 emission hotspots and the natural carbon sinks located in forests and oceans. This data is vital for creating accurate models of the global carbon cycle.
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