Current Affairs - Environment - Discussion

The United States has directed NASA to prepare for the early termination of OCO-2 and OCO-3, satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide and crop health. These satellites provide critical data on CO2 sources and sinks, seasonal and regional variations, and plant growth worldwide. By operating in polar and ISS orbits, OCO-2 and OCO-3 help track the impact of forests and other carbon sinks on climate systems, providing information essential for climate policy and mitigation strategies. The decision reflects the US’s role in leading Earth observation and climate research initiatives.