Thermal and near infrared sensor for carbon observation Fourier-transform spectrometer on the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite for greenhouse gases monitoring

TLDR

GOSAT monitors CO₂ and CH₄ globally from space using two instruments, including TANSO‑FTS which measures gas absorption spectra in the short‑wave infrared and thermal infrared. This paper offers a concise overview of the GOSAT mission, detailing its scientific requirements, instrument designs, hardware performance, on‑orbit operation, and data processing. TANSO‑FTS records three narrow bands (0.76, 1.6, 2.0 µm) and a wide band (5.5–14.3 µm) at 0.2 cm⁻¹ resolution, while TANSO‑CAI supplies cloud and aerosol correction data, and GOSAT operates in a 666‑km sun‑synchronous orbit at 13:00 LT with a 98° inclination.

Abstract

The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) monitors carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and methane (CH(4)) globally from space using two instruments. The Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observation Fourier-Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) detects gas absorption spectra of the solar short wave infrared (SWIR) reflected on the Earth's surface as well as of the thermal infrared radiated from the ground and the atmosphere. TANSO-FTS is capable of detecting three narrow bands (0.76, 1.6, and 2.0 microm) and a wide band (5.5-14.3 microm) with 0.2 cm(-1) spectral resolution (interval). The TANSO Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI) is an ultraviolet (UV), visible, near infrared, and SWIR radiometer designed to detect cloud and aerosol interference and to provide the data for their correction. GOSAT is placed in a sun-synchronous orbit 666 km at 13:00 local time, with an inclination angle of 98 degrees . A brief overview of the GOSAT project, scientific requirements, instrument designs, hardware performance, on-orbit operation, and data processing is provided.