NASA CO2 probe crashes into ocean after launch

February 24, 10:05 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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NASA's Orbital Carbon Observatory crashed into the ocean
this morning after a failure of the Taurus XL rocket that was
carrying it to orbit.  Watch video below of OSC officials
discussing the launch failure

A satellite meant to give the most comprehensive look at the carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere crashed into the ocean near Antarctica not long after launch Tuesday.  Shortly before 2:00am the Taurus XL rocket carrying the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) lifted off and all seemed well.  However, the fairing that encased the satellite failed to open as it should have (see image below) and the $273 million climate change driven satellite was lost.

As we reported last week, NASA and climate scientists had high hopes for OCO.  The telephone booth sized satellite had purpose-built sensors that would have allowed NASA its best look yet at CO2 in the atmosphere.  It would have allowed CO2 measurements across the globe and in places normally not accessible and the added data would have given a greater understanding of CO2, its impact on the environment, and been able to better predict future CO2 levels.

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Taurus Program Manager John Brunschwyler said, “Our whole team, at a very personal level, is very disappointed in the events of this morning.  The fairing has considerable weight relative to the portion of the vehicle that's flying. So when it separates off, you get a jump in acceleration. We did not have that jump in acceleration.   As a direct result of carrying that extra weight, we could not make orbit."  Watch video below of OSC officials discussing the launch failure. 

The Taurus XL rocket debuted in 1994, but has a spotty record.  Of eight launches thus far, six have been successful with two failures including the one today.  This is the first time NASA has used this particular vehicle. Patricia Phillips, our Space News Examiner has video of the launch here.

With the crash of the OCO goes the hope of the scientific community to create a global map of CO2 levels.  Currently 282 ground-based stations monitor CO2 levels and the OCO would have greatly improved models and allowed scientists to see where the greenhouse gas is generated and where it is being absorbed. 

Image of proper operation of the Taurus XL vehicle. 
Video discussing its failure below.