Previous Year Question
Which country launched the World's first satellite dedicated to monitoring “greenhouse gas emissions” in 2009?
Japan
Brazil
India
U.S.A.
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Japan launched the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) on 23 January 2009, which was named “IBUKI.”
The primary objective of this satellite was to study the atmospheric concentrations of major greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) from space.
GOSAT was launched by an H-IIA launch vehicle from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center.
The project was jointly conducted by JAXA, Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES).
GOSAT provided important satellite-based data for understanding the global distribution of greenhouse gases and studying their sources and sinks.