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In a move that has raised concerns among smaller space agencies, US President Donald Trump has ordered the premature destruction of two Earth observation satellites known as the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO-2 and OCO-3). These satellites, which collect data on CO concentrations and plant growth on Earth, are of particular high quality, according to an official NASA report from 2023.
The loss of these satellites is a significant cause for concern for agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The OCO satellites provide uniquely precise and critical data on global carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis that these agencies currently cannot match with their instruments.
The unique scientific capability of the OCO satellites is a significant asset for climate research. ESA's Sentinel satellites measure CO₂ but lack the same precision and spatial resolution. The destruction of OCO-2 undermines Europe’s Copernicus program’s capacity to validate emissions data, implement the carbon border adjustment mechanism fairly, and maintain accurate climate models.
The termination of OCO satellites may also have global scientific and geopolitical consequences. China, which is expanding its TanSat program, could potentially dominate satellite-based climate monitoring if the OCO satellites are destroyed. This may shift scientific and political influence, giving China control over vital climate data dissemination and potentially increasing geopolitical dependencies for other nations.
Developing nations, which depend on OCO data to protect critical CO₂ sinks and monitor illegal deforestation, will also be impacted. The loss of this data impairs their ability to access climate finance, enforce environmental protection, and contribute to global climate solutions.
The decision to destroy these satellites also threatens cooperative frameworks in Earth observation and undermines trust among international partners invested in long-term climate monitoring. It is feared that a return to national space programs is imminent, with at most several small space nations joining together, like ESA.
The reasons for the shutdown are unclear, but it is speculated that it is due to US President Donald Trump's disdain for climate research, as this is considered a symbolic policy move. Smaller space agencies often rely on NASA for scientific missions, with the USA paying the largest share and smaller partners contributing with scientific instruments.
The potential loss of the USA as a strong partner in space exploration is a problem for the future. Europe lacks the funds and expertise to build a telescope on the scale of the James Webb alone or to launch a Moon program like Artemis (NASA). All space agencies may need to appear more modest in space due to this potential loss.
In conclusion, this policy move by the Trump administration not only weakens US contributions to Earth system science but also disrupts critical international climate monitoring infrastructure relied upon by smaller space agencies like ESA and JAXA. It risks creating data gaps, weakening global climate governance, and shifting technological and geopolitical balance in space-based climate observation.
- The destruction of the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO-2 and OCO-3) satellites, which provide critical data on global carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis, raises concerns about the future of environmental-science research and climate-change policy-and-legislation.
- The OCO satellites' precise data on CO concentrations and plant growth is essential for industries like finance and technology, as accurate climate models are crucial for investment in clean energy and innovative solutions.
- The political implications of the OCO satellites' destruction stretch beyond the environmental-science community, impacting general-news coverage, as global carbon-dioxide levels and photosynthesis rates are key indicators of climate-change trends.
- The loss of the OCO satellites could lead to a power shift in the aerospace industry, with China potentially dominating satellite-based climate monitoring if the OCO satellites are destroyed, resulting in geopolitical dependencies for other nations.
- Developing nations that rely on OCO data to monitor illegal deforestation and protect CO₂ sinks may struggle to access climate finance and enforce environmental protection, hindering their ability to contribute to global climate solutions.
