GOSAT-GW

JAXA GOSAT-GW (Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite - GOSAT follow-on mission) is a satellite mission developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to measure greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. In this article, we will discuss the launch date, the reason for the mission, the technical specifications of the satellite, the cost of the mission, and the achievements of the GOSAT-GW mission.

Launch Date:

The GOSAT-GW mission is currently under development, and the launch date has not yet been finalized. However, according to JAXA's schedule, the GOSAT-GW satellite is expected to launch in the fiscal year 2026.

Why the Mission was Launched:

The GOSAT-GW mission was launched to continue the measurement of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The data obtained from this mission will help scientists understand the changes in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and their impact on climate change. The mission will also help policymakers make informed decisions on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Technical Specifications:

The GOSAT-GW satellite is an improved version of the GOSAT satellite, which was launched in 2009. The GOSAT-GW satellite is equipped with two sensors, a greenhouse gas sensor, and a cloud/aerosol sensor.

The greenhouse gas sensor measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere. It uses a Fourier transform spectrometer to measure the absorption of sunlight in the Earth's atmosphere.

The cloud/aerosol sensor measures the optical properties of clouds and aerosols. It uses a polarization camera to measure the polarized light scattered by clouds and aerosols.

The GOSAT-GW satellite is also equipped with a high-performance attitude control system that keeps the satellite stable during measurements. The satellite will orbit the Earth at an altitude of 613 kilometers and have a repeat cycle of 16 days.

Cost of the Mission:

The cost of the GOSAT-GW mission has not been publicly disclosed. However, it is estimated that the mission will cost around $600 million.

Achievements of the GOSAT-GW Mission:

The GOSAT-GW mission is expected to provide valuable data on greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere. This data will help scientists understand the causes and effects of climate change and develop effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The GOSAT-GW mission will also provide data on the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, which will help policymakers make informed decisions on climate change policies.

In conclusion, the GOSAT-GW mission is an important mission that will provide valuable data on greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The data obtained from this mission will help scientists and policymakers understand and address the challenges of climate change. 

The GOSAT-GW mission is part of JAXA's Earth Observation program, which aims to monitor and study the Earth's environment using satellites. JAXA has a long history of developing Earth observation satellites, including the ALOS, GCOM, and Himawari satellites.

The GOSAT-GW mission is also part of the global effort to monitor greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Other countries and organizations, such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the China National Space Administration (CNSA), have also launched satellite missions to measure greenhouse gases.

The data obtained from the GOSAT-GW mission will be shared with the international scientific community through the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) data archive. The GOSAT data archive is managed by JAXA and provides access to GOSAT data and related products to researchers and policymakers around the world.

In summary, the GOSAT-GW mission is an important satellite mission that will provide valuable data on greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The mission will contribute to our understanding of climate change and support the development of effective climate change policies.