Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory

Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCARB)[1] is a NASA Venture-class Earth observation mission that will measure the carbon cycle. Rather than being a unique spacecraft, GeoCARB is an instrument that will be mounted on a commercial geostationary communication satellite operated by SES S.A., scheduled for launch around 2022. It will be stationed over the Americas and make observations between 50° North and South latitudes. Its primary mission will be to conduct observations of vegetation health and stress, as well as observe the processes that govern the carbon exchange of carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide between the land, atmosphere, and ocean.[2][3][4]

GeoCARB is a joint collaboration between NASA's Ames Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory; the University of Oklahoma; Colorado State University; the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center of Palo Alto, California; and SES Government Solutions of Reston, Florida.[4]