JPL Prepares Orbiting Carbon Observatory For Launch In Early 2009 - AFP

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After its launch into orbit, the OCO satellite will collect and disseminate precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere to scientists studying global climate change.

Dr. Crisp and his scientific team will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. This improved understanding will enable more reliable forecasts of future changes in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on the Earth's climate.

The OCO satellite is one of seven scientific spacecraft that Orbital has built, or is in the process of building, for NASA that is based on the company's evolving line of LEOStar satellite platforms.

OCO is based on Orbital's LEOStar-2 configuration, on which several other NASA science satellite projects were produced, including the highly successful GALEX, SORCE and AIM missions in low-Earth orbit, as well as the Dawn deep space mission.


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http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Orbital_Ships_NASA_Orbiting_Carbon_Observatory_Satellite_To_Launch_Site_999.html