The Harris-built Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer-2 (TANSO-FTS-2). Photo Credit: Harris Corp

Harris Corporation has delivered an environmental monitoring sensor for the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite-2 (GOSAT-2), which will significantly enhance Japan’s ability to monitor greenhouse gases from space. The Harris-built Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer-2 (TANSO-FTS-2) will measure greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The newly built instrument will collect high-spectral resolution data of the Earth in five bands, which enables measurement during daylight and darkness. The instrument’s pointing system identifies, in real time, cloud-free areas of the atmosphere, increasing the amount of usable data.

Harris provided the sensor to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, which is building the satellite for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The satellite is scheduled to launch in Japan’s 2018 fiscal year.