This is an artist's concept of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory.
Every time we get into our car, turn the key and drive somewhere, we burn gasoline, a fossil fuel derived from crude oil.
NASA's first spacecraft dedicated to studying carbon dioxide has arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to begin final launch preparations.
Launch Countdown, Feb. 23, 2009:
This animation shows NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory using its instruments to study Earth.
This animation shows NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory using its instruments to study Earth.
This animation shows NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory over Earth.