After nearly 25 years of observing Earth’s lower atmosphere, tracking harmful emissions from wildfires and industrial sources, the Canadian Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite was turned off, on April 9, to conserve the satellite’s remaining power. Terra, which carries five instruments, launched in December 1999 on a six-year mission designed to study the planet’s land, ocean, atmosphere and biosphere simultaneously as the flagship mission of NASA’s Earth Observing system. Terra is a partnership between the United States, Canada and Japan. The CSA (Canadian Space Agency) contributed the MOPITT instrument to the Terra satellite.
Last month, more than 45 scientists gathered to discuss findings from MOPITT’s quarter-century record of atmospheric carbon monoxide. Its data showed a global decline in carbon monoxide emissions over two decades and could also track the atmospheric transport of the gas from fires and industry from individual regions. MOPITT is a testament to remarkable international collaboration and achievement. As it is officially decommissioned, its data record will continue to drive research for years to come.
In addition, NASA has turned power back on to Terra’s Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) Japanese instrument. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry contributed ASTER.
By Kate Ramsayer, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
