The Global Change Observation Mission, usually shortened to GCOM, is a long-running Japanese programme of Earth-observing satellites run by JAXA. Its purpose is to watch the planet's environment change over a span of ten to fifteen years, gathering global measurements of precipitation, snow, water vapor and aerosols that feed climate change prediction, water management and food security work. Japan offers GCOM as part of its contribution to GEOSS, the international Global Earth Observation System of Systems. The programme is split into two satellite series. GCOM-W, nicknamed Shizuku, studies the water cycle with a microwave radiometer and was launched on an H-IIA rocket in May 2012 into a Sun-synchronous orbit in the A-train constellation. GCOM-C, nicknamed Shikisai, studies climate through the surface and atmosphere with an optical imager, and its first satellite reached orbit on an H-IIA in December 2017.
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Mission Type
Mission Type (category) Connections
Operated By
Source Global Change Observation Mission (Wikipedia)
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1. Global Change Observation Mission (Wikipedia)
GCOM-W section
it flies in a Sun-synchronous orbit as part of the "A-train" satellite constellation
GCOM-W section [launch-date]
GCOM-W was launched on May 17, 2012, via a H-IIA rocket
GCOM-C1 section
GCOM-C was launched on December 23, 2017, via a H-IIA rocket
Operated By: JAXA, Lead paragraph
is a JAXA project of long-term observation of Earth environmental changes
In Group: Earth Observation Satellite Programs, Lead section
a JAXA project of long-term observation of Earth environmental changes
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