There are a lot of satellites orbiting the earth. Without them we wouldn’t be able to use GPS systems and cell phones; scientists wouldn’t be able to find new forests using Google Earth; and the government couldn’t watch what I’m typing right now. In February, NASA will launch a satellite that has a more altruistic purpose.
According to the BBC the OCO, or Orbiting Carbon Observatory, which is set to launch Feb. 23, is “NASA’s first spacecraft specifically dedicated to mapping carbon dioxide.” The data should help scientists get a better idea of how CO2 moves through the atmosphere and affects climate change.
[Via: BBC]
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