NASA's carbon dioxide mission fails to orbit, and crashes

William Atkins
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 17:42

Science - Space

Consequently, the OCO satellite did not reach its intended orbit of about 705 kilometers (438 miles) above the surface of the Earth, with an inclination of about 98 degrees.

Such an orbit would have placed it into a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit.

Ground telemetry controllers investigated the position of the satellite after the failure, while other ground controllers assessed the condition of the satellite. However, the satellite did not have sufficient altitude to remain in orbit.

It subsequently descended back to Earth, where it reportedly impacted the ocean around Antarctica. NASA confirmed this initial report in its news conference held earlier.

Taurus-rocket program manager John Brunschwyle stated, "Initial indications are the satellite landed just short of Antarctica in the ocean." [MailOnline: "Nasa's £190million 'global warming' satellite ditches in Antarctic ocean after major fault"]

The US$273.4 million mission was originally intended to monitor carbon dioxide (CO₂), an important greenhouse gas, that accumulates in clumps (sinks) throughout the atmosphere, and is also present in Earth’s oceans.