GOSAT-2 : Science Plan, Products, Validation, and Application

Based on the success of Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) launched in 2009, Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA), and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) started the preparations for the follow-on satellite, GOSAT-2 in FY2011. The current target launch year of GOSAT-2 is FY2017. The objectives of GOSAT-2 include : 1) Continue and enhance spaceborne greenhouse gases observation started by GOSAT, 2) Improve our understanding of global and regional carbon cycles, and 3) Contribute to the climate change related policies as one of MRV(Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) tools for carbon emission reduction. As a scientific background/rationale of GOSAT-2, GOSAT-2 Science Plan is being edited by GOSAT-2 Science Team Preparation Committee. Not only carbon dioxide and methane but also carbon monoxide, tropospheric ozone, and aerosols are discussed in the plan. GOSAT-2 Level 2 (gas concentrations) and Level 4 (gas fluxes) products will be operationally generated at and distributed from GOSAT-2 Data Handling Facility located in NIES. In addition, a new supercomputer dedicated to GOSAT-2 research and development will be also installed in NIES. GOSAT-2 validation plan is also being discussed. Its baseline is similar to the current GOSAT . But various efforts will be made to extend the coverage of validation data for GOSAT-2. The efforts include the increased commercial passenger aircraft volunteering atmospheric measurements and additional ground-based Fourier transform spectrometers to be newly installed in Asian countries. In addition, a compact accelerator mass spectrometer is being introduced to NIES to investigate the contributions of anthropogenic emissions which is important for GOSAT-2. Climate change related policies include JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism) in which MRV plays a critical role. MRV tools used in the existing JCM projects are mostly ground-based and site-specific. Satellite atmospheric measurements such as GOSAT or GOSAT-2 are expected to be more general and independent MRV tools and complement ground-based tools. The current status of GOSAT-2 science plan, products, validation, and application will be shown in the presentation.