# Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite

> Japanese Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q925312](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q925312)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_Gases_Observing_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/greenhouse-gases-observing-satellite

## Summary
The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), also known as Ibuki, is a Japanese Earth observation satellite launched to monitor greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, from space. Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), it was launched on January 23, 2009, aboard an H-IIA rocket. The satellite plays a critical role in climate science by providing high-resolution data to better understand global warming trends.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: January 23, 2009, at 03:54 UTC.
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Manufacturer**: Mitsubishi Electric.
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA (configuration H-IIA-15).
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-002A.
- **Aliases**: GOSAT, Ibuki.
- **Mission Objective**: To measure atmospheric greenhouse gases (CO₂ and CH₄) to support climate change research.
- **Launch Site**: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite launched?
A: The satellite was launched on January 23, 2009, at 03:54 UTC, from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex in Japan.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite?
A: Its main goal is to monitor global greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, to improve understanding of climate change.

### Q: Who operates the satellite?
A: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) operates the satellite, which was manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric.

## Why It Matters
The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite is a pivotal tool for climate science, offering unprecedented insights into the distribution and fluctuations of atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄. By providing high-resolution, global-scale data, it helps scientists assess human and natural contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, validate climate models, and inform policy decisions. As one of the first satellites dedicated to this mission, it has significantly advanced the ability to monitor Earth’s climate system from space, fostering international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.

## Notable For
- First satellite to simultaneously measure atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄ with high spectral resolution.
- Carries the Thermal and Near-Infrared Sensor (TANSO) instrument suite, enabling precise greenhouse gas detection.
- Demonstrated long-term operational capability, exceeding initial mission timelines and contributing to sustained climate datasets.
- Serves as a reference for subsequent greenhouse gas monitoring missions, such as GOSAT-2 (launched in 2018).

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Launched on January 23, 2009, at 03:54 UTC.
- **Vehicle**: H-IIA rocket (configuration H-IIA-15).
- **Site**: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.

### Mission Objectives
- **Primary Goal**: Quantify atmospheric CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations to better understand the carbon cycle and human impacts on climate.
- **Data Applications**: Support climate modeling, verify international emission reduction commitments, and study natural greenhouse gas sources/sinks.

### Instrumentation
- **TANSO-FTS**: A Fourier Transform Spectrometer measuring solar infrared radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases.
- **TANSO-CAI**: A Cloud and Aerosol Imager providing contextual cloud and aerosol data to improve gas measurement accuracy.

### Legacy
- **Operational Longevity**: Exceeded its initial 5-year mission lifespan, continuing operations into the 2020s.
- **Scientific Impact**: Data from GOSAT has been used in over 1,000 research papers, contributing to IPCC reports and global climate assessments.
- **Succession**: Paved the way for GOSAT-2 (Ibuki-2), launched in 2018, enhancing measurement precision and expanding observational parameters.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013