2009年1月23日 星期五

Japan launches satellites, eyes space business"息吹"號

日本發射衛星監控地球氣候變化
火箭升空
“息吹”號將改進對地球溫室氣體排放的監測

氣象衛星由日本火箭發射升空,將幫助科學家瞭解和監控地球氣候變化情況。

搭載著"息吹"號人造衛星和7顆小型衛星的日本火箭23日在鹿兒島縣種子島宇宙中心發射升空。

"息吹"號是一顆重量為兩噸的人造衛星,將在距離地球666公里的太空圍繞地球飛行,為大氣層中溫室氣體的密度和所在位置繪圖。

"息吹"號的這一監測任務為期五年,將確認和監查二氧化碳的來源,幫助監測類似"京都協議"這樣的國際公約和協議的執行情況。

日本太空署說,"息吹"號全球監測溫室氣體衛星將為防止氣候變暖做出貢獻。

據這一監測項目負責人介紹,目前全球各地有大約280個地面監測站,監測溫室氣體水平。

這些檢測站大都在歐洲、日本和美國。世界上很多地方都沒有設立這樣的監測站。

而"息吹"號則能對整個地球表面的兩大主要溫室氣體---二氧化碳和甲烷進行測量。

美國宇航局將在今年二月發射另一顆溫室氣體監測衛星,找到地球表面二氧化碳排放和被吸收的地點。


Japan launches satellites, eyes space business

Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:02pm EST



TOKYO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Japan launched a satellite on Friday to monitor greenhouse gases along with seven smaller satellites in a mission that could boost business for the country's cash-hungry space programme.

The H-2A rocket, carrying the biggest number of satellites ever for a Japanese rocket, took off from the tiny island of Tanegashima 1,000 km (620 miles) south of Tokyo, after a delay of two days because of poor weather.

The main satellite will enable scientists to calculate the density of carbon dioxide and methane from 56,000 locations on the Earth's surface, which Japanese officials hope will contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change.

The mission is also a test for Japan as it sets its sights on the satellite-launch business in the face of competition from Europe, the United States and Russia, as well as newer entrants such as China and India. (Reporting by Chisa Fujioka)

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