GOSAT - Greenhouse Gases Observation from Space
- Paper number
IAC-07-B1.2.08
- Author
Mr. Takashi Hamazaki, Japan
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT). The mission objective of the GOSAT is to observe the global distribution of CO2 and CH4 and their changes from space. The accuracy of CO2 columnar density is expected between 1-4ppm. The estimation of net absorption-emission rate in sub-continental scale is also planned and accuracy is expected to improve at least by half. GOSAT has two sensors on-board. One is the Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observation (TANSO-FTS). It is a Fourier Transform Spectrometer and covers wide range of spectrum including 0.76-14um in 0.2cm-1 spectrum resolution. The 0.76um band is used to observe O2 density and determine the exact path length. The 1.6 and 2.0um bands are used to observe CO2 density. The 1.6um band is also used to observe CH4 density. The 5.5-14um band is used to observe CO2, CH4, water vapor, atmospheric temperature and pressure. Altitude distribution data for CO2 and CH4 is also available with this band. The number of total observation channel reaches up to 18,000. The other sensor is the Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI) and it is used to compensate errors which are caused by the cloud and aerosol. Sensor has fully redundant pointing mechanisms on-board. Two axes pointing mechanism allows GOSAT to observe any selected observation point on the earth surface. In the normal operations mode, one observation takes four seconds to keep enough integration time. Five observation points are allocated in one single row and then proceeds to the next column. With this zigzag sequence, 180km mesh world-wide observation becomes possible. Over the ocean in day-time, operation mode is switched to the sun-glint points tracking mode. Sun-glint points tracking mode gives brighter sun reflection and consequently higher accuracy observation is expected. The GOSAT is the joint endeavor with JAXA, Ministry of Environment (MOE) and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). The GOSAT will be launched by the H-IIA launch vehicle in August 2008. GOSAT data will be available world-wide mainly through NIES. Data distribution through ESA, NASA or World Data Center for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) is also under coordination. This paper shows the overview of GOSAT project. Sensor and satellite design, its performance and summary of ground test results are also provided.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B1.2.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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