Trump's proposed destruction of satellites, previously purchased and now set for a fiery atmospheric descent
In an unexpected turn of events, NASA is planning to decommission the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) missions, specifically OCO-2 and OCO-3, as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal under the Trump administration. This decision, announced in August 2025, has sparked concern among scientists and international stakeholders due to its potential impact on climate monitoring capabilities and U.S. leadership in geoscience.
The OCO satellites, which gather information on planet-warming pollution and other climate vital signs, are still operational and scientifically valuable. OCO-2, for instance, has completed multiple successful observation cycles and continues to provide high-precision measurements of atmospheric CO2. The decision to destroy OCO-2 is particularly baffling given that it already has enough fuel on it to last through 2040.
The plan involves a "Phase F" closeout process, a formal mission end planning stage. OCO-2 would be moved to a lower orbit to eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere, a move described as unprecedented given the satellite's still active status. OCO-3, mounted on the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to be deactivated but could remain attached to the ISS, with some possibility for reactivation if circumstances permit.
Experts and former NASA personnel, including David Crisp who managed the OCO missions until 2022, have expressed strong opposition to these plans. They highlight that the missions continue to deliver critical climate data at relatively low cost and remain unmatched in sensitivity and accuracy worldwide.
The potential impacts of decommissioning the OCO missions are significant. The loss of precise, independent satellite-based measurements of carbon dioxide sources and sinks is crucial to tracking fossil fuel emissions, deforestation, and ecosystem changes. Impaired ability to monitor plant health and photosynthetic activity is important for agriculture, drought prediction, and food security assessments. Weakening of the United States' leadership in global climate science and Earth observation could potentially cede observational advantages to other countries like China and Europe.
Moreover, the economic inefficiency of the decision is evident considering the satellites are already paid for and operational, suggesting the decision is driven more by political and budgetary priorities than scientific or technological obsolescence.
Congressional deliberations are ongoing, with some hopes for intervention to either reject the budget cuts or establish public-private partnerships to maintain satellite operations. However, such options pose challenges to data reliability and accessibility.
In summary, the decommissioning of the OCO missions, amidst ongoing operation and immense scientific value, has raised concerns globally. The potential loss of critical climate data, weakening of U.S. leadership in geoscience, and economic inefficiency of the decision are significant issues that require careful consideration. The future of these vital missions hangs in the balance as negotiations continue.
References:
[1] Climate Central. (2025, August). NASA's OCO Missions Facing Decommissioning Despite Operational Status. Retrieved from www.climatecentral.org/news/oco-missions-decommissioning-nasa-climate-science-2025
[2] Carbon Brief. (2025, August). Trump Administration Proposes to End NASA's Carbon Monitoring Satellites. Retrieved from www.carbonbrief.org/trump-administration-proposes-to-end-nasas-carbon-monitoring-satellites
[3] The Guardian. (2025, August). NASA's Climate Satellites Face Decommissioning Under Trump Budget Proposal. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/01/nasas-climate-satellites-face-decommissioning-under-trump-budget-proposal
[4] Nature. (2025, August). Trump Administration Proposes to End NASA's Carbon Monitoring Satellites. Retrieved from www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01735-1
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