Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite
Encyclopedia
The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite or GOSAT, also known as , is an Earth observation satellite
and the world's first satellite dedicated to greenhouse-gas-monitoring, which will be used to measure densities of carbon dioxide
and methane
from 56,000 locations on the Earth's atmosphere
. The GOSAT was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) and launched on January 23, 2009, from the Tanegashima Space Center
. Japan
's Ministry of the Environment
, and National Institute for Environmental Studies
(NIES) will use the data to track one of the gases causing the greenhouse effect
, and the data will be shared with NASA
and other space and scientific organizations in other countries.
, Japan's primary large-scale expendable launch system
, at 3:54 am on January 23, 2009 UTC on Tanegashima
, a small island in southern Japan, after a two-day delay due to unfavourable weather. At approximately 16 minutes after liftoff, the separation of Ibuki from the launch rocket was confirmed.
region–thermal infrared region) within the infrared band to enhance observation accuracy. The satellite uses a spectrometer
to measure different elements and compounds based on their response to certain types of light. This technology allows the satellite to measure "the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a super-high resolution."
Earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc....
and the world's first satellite dedicated to greenhouse-gas-monitoring, which will be used to measure densities of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
and methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
from 56,000 locations on the Earth's atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere
The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention , and reducing temperature extremes between day and night...
. The GOSAT was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The , or JAXA, is Japan's national aerospace agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on October 1, 2003, as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the...
(JAXA) and launched on January 23, 2009, from the Tanegashima Space Center
Tanegashima Space Center
The is one of Japan's space development facilities. It is located on Tanegashima, an island located 115 km south of Kyūshū. It was established in 1969 when the National Space Development Agency of Japan was formed...
. Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of the Environment (Japan)
The ' of Japan was formed in 2001 from the sub-cabinet level Environmental Agency established in 1971. The minister is a member of the Cabinet and is chosen by the Prime Minister, usually from the Diet., the current is Goshi Hosono...
, and National Institute for Environmental Studies
National Institute for Environmental Studies
The National Institute for Environmental Studies was established in 1974 as a focal point for environmental research in Japan...
(NIES) will use the data to track one of the gases causing the greenhouse effect
Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface, energy is transferred to the surface and the lower atmosphere...
, and the data will be shared with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and other space and scientific organizations in other countries.
Launch
GOSAT was launched along with seven other piggyback probes using the H-IIAH-IIA
H-IIA is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency . The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch an interplanetary...
, Japan's primary large-scale expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
, at 3:54 am on January 23, 2009 UTC on Tanegashima
Tanegashima
is an island lying to the south of Kyushu, in southern Japan, and is part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The island is the second largest of the Ōsumi Islands....
, a small island in southern Japan, after a two-day delay due to unfavourable weather. At approximately 16 minutes after liftoff, the separation of Ibuki from the launch rocket was confirmed.
Instruments
According to JAXA, the Ibuki satellite is equipped with a greenhouse gas observation sensor (TANSO-FTS) and a cloud/aerosol sensor (TANSO-CAI) that supplements TANSO-FTS. The greenhouse gas observation sensor of Ibuki observes a wide range of wavelengths (near-infraredInfrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
region–thermal infrared region) within the infrared band to enhance observation accuracy. The satellite uses a spectrometer
Spectrometer
A spectrometer is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically used in spectroscopic analysis to identify materials. The variable measured is most often the light's intensity but could also, for instance, be the polarization...
to measure different elements and compounds based on their response to certain types of light. This technology allows the satellite to measure "the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a super-high resolution."
External links
- Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) – JAXA
- Earth "Breathing" as Observed from Outer Space -IBUKI promotion movie- – JAXA Official YouTube Channel
- GOSAT Project - Global Greenhouse Gases Observation Satellite Website – National Institute for Environmental StudiesNational Institute for Environmental StudiesThe National Institute for Environmental Studies was established in 1974 as a focal point for environmental research in Japan...
- NIES GOSAT PROJECT NEWSLETTER