Scientists Say Efforts To Study Greenhouse Gases Waning

The failure of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory to reach orbit is more than an isolated disappointment to the agency and climate researchers. The Washington Post reports it's a real setback for what is hoped will one day be a network for monitoring earth's atmosphere.

As ANN reported, the $280 million OCO impacted in the ocean near Antarctica, after the fairing protecting the satellite atop the Taurus XL launch booster failed to jettison. Environmental scientists hoped mission would determine what becomes of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, who much is absorbed by natural "sinks" in the ocean and forests, and how much lingers to aggravate the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere.

Scientists complain that in 2007, we spent more money investigating other planets than we did investigating our own. Neal Lane, science adviser to the Clinton's administration, says the failure of the OCO is a real setback. "The program was weak and now it's really weak," he said.

There are more climate study missions on NASA's agenda, and the Obama administration seems game to fund them. Some scientists are pushing for a replacement of the OCO, while others say the research should wait for a second-generation of the observatory, already on the drawing board.

A decision is expected within weeks. On Wednesday, NASA named Rick Obenschain, deputy director at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, to lead the investigation board for the unsuccessful launch. The Mishap Investigation Board will have four other members, who will be named as they become available.

The board will gather information, analyze the facts, and identify the failure's cause or causes and contributing factors. The Mishap Investigation Board will make recommendations for actions to prevent a similar incident.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/oco