Milestone Achievement: IBuki-GW’s TANSO-3 Sensor Captures First Greenhouse Gas Observations
Tokyo, Japan – August 7, 2025 – The Ministry of the Environment is pleased to announce a significant advancement in global greenhouse gas monitoring. Today, at 3:00 PM JST, the IBuki-GW (Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite-Greenhouse gas Whole-globe) mission successfully captured its inaugural observations using its advanced Greenhouse Gas Sensor Type 3 (TANSO-3). This momentous occasion marks a new era in our understanding and tracking of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations worldwide.
The IBuki-GW satellite, a successor to the highly successful Ibuki (GOSAT) mission, is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation designed to provide unprecedentedly detailed and accurate data on greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The TANSO-3 sensor, a key component of the IBuki-GW payload, represents a substantial technological leap forward from its predecessors. It boasts enhanced spectral resolution, improved signal-to-noise ratios, and a wider coverage area, enabling the capture of more precise and comprehensive data.
The initial observations from TANSO-3 are expected to provide invaluable insights into the distribution and variations of greenhouse gases across the globe. This data will be crucial for:
- Enhancing climate change research: By providing more granular data on greenhouse gas sources and sinks, scientists can refine climate models, improve emissions inventories, and better understand the complex processes driving climate change.
- Supporting policy development: Accurate and up-to-date information on greenhouse gas concentrations is essential for governments and international bodies to formulate and implement effective climate mitigation and adaptation policies.
- Promoting international cooperation: The data generated by IBuki-GW will be shared globally, fostering collaborative efforts to address the shared challenge of climate change.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of emission reduction measures: As countries implement greenhouse gas reduction strategies, the IBuki-GW mission will play a vital role in verifying the impact of these efforts.
The Ministry of the Environment extends its sincere gratitude to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and all the dedicated scientists and engineers who have contributed to the successful launch and initial operations of the IBuki-GW mission and the TANSO-3 sensor. This achievement is a testament to their expertise, perseverance, and commitment to advancing environmental science for the benefit of humanity.
Further analysis of the data collected by TANSO-3 is now underway, and the Ministry anticipates releasing more detailed findings in the coming months. The IBuki-GW mission is poised to be a cornerstone in our ongoing efforts to understand and combat climate change, providing critical information for a sustainable future.
「いぶきGW」（GOSAT-GW）搭載 温室効果ガス観測センサ3型（TANSO-3）の初観測について
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環境省 published ‘「いぶきGW」（GOSAT-GW）搭載 温室効果ガス観測センサ3型（TANSO-3）の初観測について’ at 2025-08-07 15:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.