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The Orbiting Carbon Observatory at lift-off. A few minutes later, a contingency was declared.
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Latest News
NASA Names Chairman for Investigation
02.25.09 -- NASA's Rick Obenschain, deputy director at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., will lead the investigation board for the unsuccessful launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory on Feb. 24.
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NASA's Launch of Carbon-Seeking Satellite Is Unsuccessful
02.24.09 -- NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite failed to reach orbit after its 4:55 a.m. EST liftoff Tuesday from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
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› View Mishap Press Conference
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Mission News
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NASA Names Chairman for Orbiting Carbon Observatory Investigation
NASA's Rick Obenschain, deputy director at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., will lead the investigation board for the unsuccessful launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory on Feb. 24.
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NASA's Launch Of Carbon-Seeking Satellite is Unsuccessful
A Mishap Investigation Board will be immediately convened to determine the cause of the launch failure.
Launch Video
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OCO Launch Contingency Briefing
A launch contingency briefing for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory was held on Feb. 24, 2009 at approximately 8:15 a.m. Eastern.
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OCO Spacecraft Fails to Reach Orbit
Launch contingency called.
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Taurus Launches with OCO Spacecraft
Rocket thunders skyward
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 "contingency briefing for Orbiting Carbon Observatory")
 "Launch Commentator George Diller")
 "Taurus launch")
Experiencing OCO
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Orbiting Carbon Observatory →
NASA's Eric Ianson blogs about the mission to measure carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
Animations
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Keeling Curve
The Keeling Curve is a scientific icon that is, to some scientists, as famous as the double helix and E=mc2.
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Human-Generated Carbon
Every year human activity is responsible for releasing approximately eight billion metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
Videos
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Taurus is OCO's Ride to Space
An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory.
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The Versatile Taurus
The four-stage Taurus rocket is designed to be cost-effective, adaptable and dependable.
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 "OCO spacecraft on rocket.")
 "The versatile Taurus rocket")