Orbiting Carbon Observatory Mishap Report Released

by Charlene Anderson

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), a NASA satellite that was to have monitored the sources and sinks of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere, never reached orbit after its launch vehicle failed.  NASA has released the official report on the “mishap.”

The fairing that protected the satellite from the effects of traveling through the atmosphere at launch speeds failed to release OCO, sending it on to destruction. A summary report of the investigation board’s findings is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/oco