I am writing as a concerned constituent from Cumberland Center, Maine. Recently, credible reports revealed that the Trump administration has directed NASA to develop plans to terminate at least two federal Earth‑observing satellite missions—specifically, OCO‑2 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2) and OCO‑3—despite both being fully operational and widely used by scientists, farmers, and policy makers .
OCO‑2, launched in July 2014, measures atmospheric carbon dioxide at extremely high precision and has become a global standard for CO₂ monitoring. Unexpectedly, it can also monitor plant photosynthesis, providing agricultural stakeholders with valuable insights about plant health, drought, and crop yields—all at a cost of about $15 million per year to maintain, following an initial mission investment of approximately $750 million .
Despite congressional funding for these missions through the current fiscal year (ending September 30, 2025), NASA staff have reportedly been asked to draft “Phase F” termination plans to deorbit OCO‑2 and potentially burn it up upon re‑entry, effectively destroying a functioning, publicly funded scientific asset—a move some legal and scientific experts say could be illegal before the FY 2026 budget is approved .
I firmly oppose this decision. Terminating OCO‑2 and OCO‑3 would:
• Remove a unique, federally funded capability to monitor greenhouse gas trends on a global scale.
• Eliminate critical data—used by academic researchers, the Department of Agriculture, private firms, and farmers—that supports climate forecasts, policymaking, land management, drought response, and food security.
• Waste taxpayer investment: over $750 million has already been spent, while continuing operations costs a fraction of that amount .
• Set a troubling precedent of executive interference over programs already appropriated by Congress.
I ask that you consider taking the following actions:
1. Speak out publicly to defend NASA’s authority to adhere only to budgets approved by Congress.
2. Support legislation or appropriations riders that explicitly prohibit decommissioning of OCO missions before FY2026 funds are enacted.
3. Encourage NASA leadership to explore alternative options—such as congressional extensions or public–private partnerships—for maintaining these critical Earth‑science missions.
The stakes are high: global warming continues to accelerate, crop patterns shift due to drought and climate variability, and Earth’s carbon sinks evolve unpredictably. Cutting off our ability to measure these trends is not just imprudent—it weakens American leadership in climate science, environmental policy, and agricultural management.
Please stand against the destruction of OCO‑2 and OCO‑3 and uphold Congress’s constitutional role in funding and protecting vital scientific missions.
Thank you for your time and continued service. I would welcome any updates on your efforts or how I might contribute to protecting these programs.
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