The satellite, launched on June 29, 2025, is the third in Japan's dedicated greenhouse gas monitoring program. Its onboard sensor, the Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3), completed its first observation sequence between July 14 and July 20. These tests verified that TANSO-3 is operating properly and capable of capturing detailed data on atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide, and other gases.
Following the three-month initial verification phase, the satellite will undergo sensor accuracy checks and calibration. Full-scale operations are expected to begin by the end of 2025, when GOSAT-GW will start providing observation data to researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
TANSO-3 is unique in its ability to switch between wide-area scans and targeted high-resolution observations. In its wide-area mode, the instrument can cover the entire globe approximately every three days with a swath width exceeding 900 kilometers. In focused mode, it can zero in on smaller regions at much finer spatial resolution, allowing scientists to study emission hotspots and urban areas in greater detail.
The early results also confirmed that TANSO-3 successfully acquired absorption spectra of greenhouse gases. This capability enables precise calculations of atmospheric concentrations by analyzing the way sunlight is absorbed at specific wavelengths as it passes through different gases. Such data are essential for monitoring global emissions, verifying climate policy effectiveness, and improving climate models.
With these first successful measurements, Japan's GOSAT-GW mission advances international climate science efforts by delivering frequent, wide-coverage data on greenhouse gas distribution, supporting both scientific understanding and global climate action.
Related Links
National Institute for Environmental Studies
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
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