Public Release of Observation Data (Radiance Spectrum and Images) from "IBUKI" Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT)
The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are jointly promoting the Greenhouse gasses Observing SATellite "IBUKI" Project (GOSAT, launched on January 23, 2009). Recently, an initial calibration of Level 1 data products, radiance spectrum and images observed by IBUKI, has been completed and we will begin to release them to general users. The Level 1 data products, which are radiance spectra observed by TANSO-FTS and images by the TANSO-CAI onboard the Greenhouse gasses Observing SATellite "IBUKI", will begin to be released to general users following the completion of the initial calibration. In the future, after further calibration and validation of the data, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and methane data and corresponding analysed products will be made available to registered users among the general public from around the end of January, 2010 target period.
[How to access the data] First, visit the Internet website of the GOSAT observation data distribution and observation request service "GOSAT User Interface Gateway" provided by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and register your information. You can then download observation data whenever and wherever you want.
* For the moment, the radiance spectrum data observed by TANSO-FTS available will be ones generated after October 29, 2009. * Earth observation image data observed by TANSO-CAI, for which the initial calibration process has been completed, will be provided soon (scheduled for mid-November, 2009) after confirming the processing and distribution system. Source JAXA
Initial Analysis of Observation Data (Greenhouse Gas Concentrations) from "IBUKI" Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Ministry of the Environment are promoting the "IBUKI", Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT, launched on January 23, 2009) project. Recently, an initial analysis of carbon dioxide and methane concentrations was obtained for clear-sky scenes over land. In the future, after further calibration and validation of the data, observation data and corresponding analysed products will be made available for the registered general public. The "IBUKI", Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT), was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on January 23, 2009. While data is currently in the preliminary stages of being calibrated and validated, an initial analysis of carbon dioxide and methane concentrations was recently obtained for clear-sky scenes over land. In the future, after further calibration and validation of the data, observation data and corresponding analysed products will be made available to registered users from the general public.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have announced that they successfully acquired the "First Light" by the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) during the course of its initial functional check. The data was acquired by the onboard sensors of the IBUKI, the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) and the Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI), which were just activated. The IBUKI was launched by JAXA at 12:54 p.m. on January 23, 2009, (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Centre. Its initial functional check, including checking the attitude control system and communication system, has been carried out on schedule, and the satellite is in good condition.
JAXA will continue to carry out the initial functional check, which is scheduled to be completed in three months after its launch. JAXA, the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) will then cooperatively carry out the initial calibration and validation operations including comparing IBUKI data and data acquired on the ground, confirming the data accuracy, and making compensations based on the data. Source JAXA
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have announced that the Small Demonstration Satellite-1 (SDS-1) was moved to the initial functional verification operation(*2) after completing its critical operation(*1) on January 27, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST). The SDS-1 was launched as a piggyback satellite with the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.15 at 12:54 p.m. on January 23, 2009 (JST). The satellite is currently in good condition. JAXA are carrying out the initial functional verification for about one month.
*1 Critical Operation: the period from the launch phase until the establishment of the spin stabilisation attitude including satellite separation from the launch vehicle, solar array paddle deployment, and establishment of communication links.
*2 Initial Functional Verification Operation: the period to verify the functions of the satellite bus and experiment devices.
Scots scientists are to use data from new carbon-hunting satellites to map levels of greenhouse gases around the world for the first time. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh will use two new satellites to pinpoint how much is produced from the Earth on a region-by-region basis. They will find out which locations produce the most emissions, as well as which areas soak up the largest quantities, by analysing data from satellites being launched by Nasa and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency confirmed that the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) is now ready for the initial functional verification operation after shifting its attitude control system to the regular mode. Therefore, the critical phase operation of the IBUKI was completed at 5:15 p.m. on January 24, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST.)
JAXA will start the initial functional verification phase*2 to check the onboard equipment function for about three months. The satellite is currently in good condition.
Japan launched a satellite on Friday to monitor greenhouse gases along with seven smaller satellites in a mission that could boost business for the country's cash-hungry space program. The H-2A rocket, carrying the biggest number of satellites ever for a Japanese rocket, took off from the tiny island of Tanegashima 620 miles south of Tokyo, after a delay of two days because of poor weather.
"The launch was a significant one for the peaceful use of space, since the satellite will contribute to tackling the universal issue of global warming" - Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) is in good condition through the data we have received from the satellite at domestic and overseas stations. The IBUKI was launched at 12:54:00 p.m. on January, 23, 2009 (Japan Standard Time).
Images of the solar array panel deployment were received at the Perth Station, Australia.
JAXA Press release
Solar Array Panel (SAP) Deployment Images Credit JAXA
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) aboard the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 (H-IIA F15) at 12:54:00 p.m. on January, 23, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 16 minutes after liftoff, the separation of the IBUKI was confirmed. At the time of the launch, the weather was cloudy, a wind speed was 11.4 meters/second from the northwest and the temperature was 12.4 degrees Celsius.
JAXA Press release
Small Demonstration Satellite-1 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the Small Demonstration Satellite-1 (SDS-1) was successfully separated from the launch vehicle by using data transmitted from the satellite. The SDS-1 was launched as a piggyback satellite with the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 at 12:54 p.m. on January 23, 2009 (Japan Standard Time).