Using an H2A rocket, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Jan. 24 launched the world's first artificial satellite to observe greenhouse-gas emissions worldwide. The satellite, named Ibuki (Breath), is scheduled to function for at least five years. It will make great contributions to deepening the understanding of global warming and to devising ways to combat it.
In February, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration will launch a satellite to observe carbon-dioxide emissions for two years.
Ibuki will greatly enhance observation of greenhouse-gas emissions. At present, carbon dioxide is monitored at 282 land-based stations, most in industrialized nations. Ibuki, orbiting at an altitude of 666 km, will collect data on carbon dioxide and methane-gas emissions at 56,000 locations worldwide every third day by using ultra-red ray sensors.