NASA’s carbon tracking satellites at risk under Trump’s administration

Two of NASA’s groundbreaking missions that have been crucial for tracking carbon dioxide and crop health may be facing a permanent shutdown due to budget cuts under the Trump administration.

The Impact of the Orbiting Carbon Observatories

The Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCOs) have played a vital role in revolutionizing the collection of carbon data and greenhouse gas science. They have provided experts with essential data for studying greenhouse gases, severe weather patterns, climate disasters, and even mapping plant photosynthesis and crop failures worldwide.

OCO-2, launched in 2014, was designed to measure carbon dioxide sources and natural carbon sinks. The more recent OCO-3 mission was launched in 2020 and attached to the International Space Station. However, recent plans have been drawn up to terminate these missions, despite the equipment being expected to last for several more years.

Challenges Faced by NASA

The Trump administration’s focus on cutting spending has also impacted NASA’s climate research efforts. With attacks on climate science and budget cuts looming, NASA is facing challenges in maintaining its missions and programs. The agency has been exploring partnerships with private scientific entities to keep its missions running.

Despite efforts to scale back NASA’s workforce and structure, protests have arisen from employees and leaders within the agency. Concerns have been raised about the irreversibility of decommissioning spacecraft and the loss of vital mission observations, as well as the impact on research in space science, aeronautics, and Earth stewardship.