Expected Scientific Achievement by GOSAT-2─Science Plan─

Abstract

Improvement of the basic performance of the sensors with which the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT)−2 is equipped improves the accuracy of greenhouse gas measurement, and using these improved measurement data, more precise analysis of the source/sink strength of the gases through inversion analysis is expected. With the addition of new spectral channels, carbon monoxide and light-absorbing aerosols such as black carbon can be observed. Based on these improvements of the observation performance, the science-plan of the project, which is a guideline for research using GOSAT-2 data, has been issued. It describes: 1) Progress on carbon cycle research based on long-term observation data on greenhouse gases; 2) the integration of various approaches to estimating the source/sink strength of greenhouse gases; 3) the advancement of terrestrial ecosystem models; 4) the identification of hot spots and the monitoring of the vegetation response to short-term events; and 5) the importance of aerosol monitoring.