On-orbit performance and level 1 data processing of TANSO-FTS and CAI on GOSAT

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) monitors carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) globally from space. It is a joint project of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). GOSAT is placed in a sun-synchronous orbit of 666km and 12:48 local time, with an inclination angle of 98 deg. It was launched on January 23, 2009 from Tanegashima Space Center. There are two instruments on GOSAT. The Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier-Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) det ects the Short wave infrared (SWIR) re flected on the earth's surface as well as the thermal infrared (TIR) radiated from the ground and th e atmosphere. TANSO-FTS is capable of detecting wide spectral coverage; three narrow bands (0.76, 1.6, and 2 P m) and a wide band (5.5-14.3 P m) with 0.27 cm -1 spectral resolution. The TANSO Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI) is a radiometer of ultraviolet (UV), visible, and SWIR to correct cloud and aerosol interference. For three months after the launch, the on-orbit function and performance have been checked out. Now level 1A (raw interferogram) and level 2B (spectra) are now being processed and provided regularly with calibration data. Keywords: GOSAT, TANSO, SWIR, TIR, Fourier Transform Spectrometer, level 1, carbon dioxide, methane, polarization, aerosol