Japan launches Ibuki 2 to observe greenhouse gases
New Delhi : With the aim to study greenhouse gases and their effects on the earth, Japan has launched a new satellite GOSAT-2. Also known as Ibuki-2, the satellite will survey carbon dioxide and other global warming gases with greater precision than its predecessor.
The greenhouse gas observing satellite was lifted off from anegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 1:08 PM on Monday. H2A rocket carried the satellite and placed it into orbit 16 minutes later as planned at an altitude of around 612 kilometers.
GOSAT-2 was developed by the Environment Ministry, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the National Institute for Environmental Studies. It is 5.8 meters long and weighs 1.8 tons.
Scientists believe that Ibuki-2 will observe carbon dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide by using high-performance sensors that detect the infrared rays specific to each gas. It can measure carbon dioxide levels 8 times more accurately than its predecessor, Ibuki, which was launched in 2009.
Another feature of measure carbon dioxide levels 8 times more accurately than its Ibuki-2 is that it can distinguish between carbon dioxide that occurs naturally and the CO2 created by industrial activity. It can also gather the data needed to estimate the density of hazardous PM 2.5 particles.
As per official report, the satellite will begin full-scale observations in about 2-and-a-half months. The government of Japan seems hopeful regarding the launch. It says Ibuki-2 will also monitor the greenhouse gas reductions mandated by the Paris Accord.
To inform, H2A rocket also put into orbit an Earth observation satellite from the United Arab Emirates. It’s Japan's third launch of a foreign satellite.
