NASA will launch the satellite OCO-2, Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, a second attempt at such a satellite since the doomed 2009 launch of 0C0.
The satellite, scheduled for launch at 10:56 BST on the 1 July 2014, will measure the intensity of sunlight reflected from the column of CO2. NASA write on their website about OCO-2 that this measurement is "unique like a fingerprint" and will be used for identification.
NASA have clarified OCO-2 is near identical, however components have been altered from the previous OCO model to modernise and heighten abilities. The resolution of OCO-2 is higher than the predecessor, and the science team behind the satellite are confident that the new OCO-2 will provide readings that far exceed those capable of OCO. The US space agency have also credited the Japanese space agency and their own carbon emission reading satellite GOSAT for making the American team's improvements possible. The GOSAT mission was successfully launched in 2009.
UPDATE: The launch was stopped with 46 seconds to go, due to a water flow failure in the launch pad. NASA have announced there will be no launch today.
UPDATE: 2 July 2014:
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) was successfully launched on the 2 July 2014, at 10:56 BST. This marks the second attempt at launching the second satellite of its kind, after the failed OCO mission of 2009 and yesterday's disappointing stoppage at T-46 seconds before launch when a water flow fault caused concerns.
