Carbon Observatory’s First Data on This Week @NASA - August 15, 2014

TL;DR

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 has reached its final orbit and returned its first data, the European Space Agency's final Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo ship docked to the ISS, and a supermoon was visible in the night sky.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” A month after its launch, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, NASA’s first spacecraft dedicated to studying atmospheric carbon dioxide – has reached its final operating orbit and returned its first science data. “First light” test data were collected on August 6 as OCO-2 flew over central New ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏍️ OCO-2 has achieved its intended orbit and collected its first scientific data on atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhancing our understanding of Earth's carbon cycle.
• 🎟️ The successful docking of the Automated Transfer Vehicle Georges Lemaitre demonstrates the ongoing supply missions to the International Space Station.
• 👻 The observation of a supermoon adds visual appeal to celestial events and allows for the study of the moon's orbit and its closeness to Earth.
• 📤 NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) provides detailed visualizations of X-ray light distortions caused by the intense gravitational pull of a supermassive black hole.
• 👾 The Stennis Space Center prepares for testing the Space Launch System core stage, utilizing the Main Propulsion Test Article structure previously used for space shuttle propulsion testing.
• 💚 NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center showcases its commitment to environmental sustainability with the opening of a new "green" building.
• 🎟️ The Agency Honor Awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions to NASA and its mission.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)?

The OCO-2 is NASA's dedicated spacecraft for studying atmospheric carbon dioxide and providing valuable data on Earth's carbon cycle.

Q: What did the Automated Transfer Vehicle Georges Lemaitre deliver to the International Space Station?

Georges Lemaitre delivered approximately 7 tons of supplies to the Expedition 40 crew on the International Space Station.

Q: What is a supermoon?

A supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day as its perigee, the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to Earth. It results in a larger and brighter-looking moon.

Q: What was the significance of the supermoon observed on August 10?

The supermoon observed on August 10 was the second and largest of the summer, providing a stunning celestial event for observers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 has successfully reached its final orbit and collected its first data on atmospheric carbon dioxide.

• The European Space Agency's fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo ship called Georges Lemaitre docked to the International Space Station, delivering supplies.

• A supermoon, the largest of the summer, was observed on August 10.