Science-Technology, archive
NASA launches orbiter to measure Earth's carbon dioxide
Orbiting Carbon Observatory OCO-2 to measure CO2 levels for two years to help assess causes of climate change.
02.07.2014 - Update : 02.07.2014
ANKARA
NASA has launched its Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO-2, on a mission to measure carbon dioxide levels in Earth's atmosphere.
The OCO-2 successfully lifted off on a Delta II rocket on Wednesday from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US, a day after its launch was postponed just 46 seconds before its scheduled blast-off because of a technical problem in the launch pad's water system.
It will reach its final orbit 705 km above the Earth in around six weeks on a mission to assess quantities of CO2 - seen as one of the major causes of global climate change and the greenhouse effect.
The two-year mission will cost NASA $468 million.
