description OCO-2 Overview
OCO-2 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2) is a NASA Earth science satellite launched on 2 July 2014 to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations from space. It flies in the Afternoon Constellation (A-Train) and uses high-resolution grating spectrometers to detect CO2 absorption in sunlight reflected from Earth's surface. The mission supports climate and carbon-cycle research by providing global, regional, and seasonal maps of CO2 sources and sinks.
help OCO-2 FAQ
When was OCO-2 launched?
NASA launched OCO-2 on 2 July 2014. It is an Earth science satellite designed to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide from orbit.
What does OCO-2 measure?
OCO-2 measures concentrations of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. It is focused on CO2 rather than serving as a general weather satellite.
How does OCO-2 detect carbon dioxide from space?
It uses high-resolution grating spectrometers to detect the way CO2 affects light. Those measurements let the satellite map atmospheric carbon dioxide from orbit.
Why does OCO-2 fly in the A-Train?
OCO-2 flies in the Afternoon Constellation, also called the A-Train, alongside other Earth-observing spacecraft. Coordinated observations help scientists study atmospheric conditions with data from several instruments.
explore Explore More
Similar to OCO-2
ui.x_see_all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
