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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: NASA Satellite Crashes Back to Earth


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NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (top inset in an artist's conception) successfully launched on February 24, 2009 (bottom inset).

But shortly after liftoff, the rocket carrying the carbon-monitoring satellite—seen at right on the launch pad—suffered a technical glitch that caused the craft to crash back to Earth.

Right-hand photograph of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory on the launch pad on Feb 20, 2009: Courtesy Randy Beaudoin/NASA; Upper-left artist's concept of the OCO in space: Courtesy NASA/JPL; Lower-left video still of the OCO launch: Courtesy NASA TV