As economy plummets, Japan blasts to space

Last Updated: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:41:00 +1100

Japan has launched the world's first satellite that will exclusively collect data on greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite, known as GOSAT, will help scientists calculate the density of carbon dioxide and methane from nearly the entire surface of the Earth.

GOSAT will collect data from 56,000 locations around the world.

The satellite, which is set to be in orbit for five years, traveling at 660 kilometres above the earth, will release preliminary data in nine months.

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