[M-SD35] Future Missions of Satellite Earth Observation

[MSD35-01] Mission on monitoring and elucidating global environmental changes (global radiative forcing and ecosystem changes that affect global warming) (successor to GCOM-C)

*Yoshiaki HONDA¹, Aoki iTeruo², Nakajima Takashi³, Toratani Mitsuhiro⁴, Hirawake Toru⁵, Hori Masahiro⁶, Kajiwara Koji¹ (1.Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University, 2.Research Organization of Information and Systems, National Institute of Polar Research, 3.Tokai University, School of Information Science & Technology, Dept. of Human & Information Science, 4.Tokai University, School of Engineering, 5.Research Organization of Information and Systems National Institute of Polar Research Bioscience Group, 6.University of Toyama, School of Sustainable Design)

Keywords:Global environmental change, GCOM-C, SGLI, J-train

The purpose of this proposal is to monitor and elucidate global environmental changes (global radiative forcing and ecosystem changes that affect global warming) through long-term, continuous quantitative monitoring. Optical (near-ultraviolet to thermal infrared) imager technology is a fundamental technology that could be developed into new optical sensors in the future, and must be continued in order to maintain global superiority. The satellite has already been in operation since 2018, successfully completed the regular operation review board at the end of FY2022, and has made significant achievements. The satellite itself is expected to operate for another 11 years, and further achievements are expected in the future.
The optical imager, which is a descendant of the SGLI, monitors a wide range of wavelengths, enabling it to monitor changes in the climate system, including changes that are currently unforeseen, as a result of global warming. By having a unique source of information as its own sensor, Japan will be able to have its own decision-making basis for understanding the situation of climate change, and will be able to disseminate it to the world as world-standard information and have an international strategy on climate change. Furthermore, the J-train type observation by multiple satellites (core satellites as described in "Analysis of Global Trends in the Future of Earth Observation", p. 16-18, Meteorological Research Note No. 234) will help raise the level of Japan's earth observation and space industry. In addition, JAXA is discussing the enhancement of the goals and emphasis of GCOM-C in the form of collaboration and sharing with other countries' activities, such as MetOP and JPSS, in cooperation with JAXA's internal activities.