The Trump administration may “shut down” two key NASA satellites that track carbon in the atmosphere. Their potential closure due to budget cuts for the 2026 fiscal year is causing concern among scientists, climatologists, and farmers who rely on their unique data.
The draft budget jeopardizes the OCO-2 and OCO-3 missions. Although the budget has not yet been approved, NPR sources report that NASA engineers are already actively preparing plans to shut down both spacecraft. The situation is particularly critical for OCO-2: it will be destroyed when it is brought down from orbit. Experienced scientists, such as former mission leader David Crisp, confirm the seriousness of these intentions.
Scientific value
These satellites are unique “carbon detectors.” Their spectrometers measure how CO2 molecules absorb sunlight, creating a detailed global map of carbon distribution. OCO-2 data has revolutionized our understanding of:
- the role of natural “sinks” (oceans, forests) in offsetting emissions.
- how droughts, fires, and deforestation turn sinks into sources of emissions.
- CO2 emission levels in large cities, supporting initiatives such as the Paris Agreement.
An incredible bonus is OCO-2’s ability to detect solar-induced fluorescence. This is the faint glow of plants during photosynthesis, when chlorophyll emits excess photons. This data has become indispensable for farmers and agronomists in forecasting crop yields, monitoring droughts, and optimizing agriculture.
An uncertain future
Funding for missions is only guaranteed until the end of 2025. Congress may still save OCO, as evidenced by a letter from Democrats to NASA leadership warning them not to halt operations. There is a weak hope for OCO-3 on the ISS: NASA is looking for partners willing to finance its further operation. However, OCO-2 will be doomed if Trump’s budget is approved. The end of these missions will mean the loss of a critically important source of data on the climate and the state of the planet.
Earlier, we reported on how NASA was introducing total control through compulsory searches of staff.
According to npr.org
