GCOM-C "SHIKISAI" (JAXA)
Japan's SHIKISAI satellite checks the health of Earth from space every 2 or 3 days, tracking clouds, aerosols, ocean color, plants, snow and ice (JAXA).
Image: NASA (ISS074-E-0046371, Jan. 3, 2026).
Last reviewed: 2 sources cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- GCOM-C, also called SHIKISAI, is a Japanese satellite that looks at the whole Earth.
- It sees clouds, tiny particles in the air, plants, ocean color, snow and ice.
- This helps scientists understand climate change.
The Five W's of GCOM-C
Who
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, as part of its Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM).
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
What
A satellite carrying SGLI, an optical sensor that sees from near-ultraviolet to thermal A kind of light our eyes can't see that we feel as heat. Special cameras use it to see warm objects and gases. Glossary light at 250 m to 1 km detail.
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
When
GCOM-C launched on 23 December 2017 on an H-IIA rocket and is in operation.
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
Where
In The curved path an object takes as it travels around a planet, moon or star, like a satellite circling Earth. Glossary about 798 km above Earth, covering the whole globe every 2 or 3 days.
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
Why
Long-term views of Tiny bits of dust, smoke, salt or pollution floating in the air. They can block sunlight and help clouds form. Glossary, clouds, plants and temperatures help explain climate change and improve climate models.
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
Impact Statement
Agency solution · active
SGLI collects global data once every 2 or 3 days on clouds, aerosols, ocean color, vegetation, snow and ice (JAXA).
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
For Further Information: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
SGLI observes light from near-ultraviolet to thermal infrared, from 380 nanometres to 12 micrometres (JAXA).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
GCOM-C data help improve the accuracy of predictions of future environmental change (JAXA).
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
For Nature
SGLI maps Tiny plant-like living things that drift in water and use sunlight to make food. They make much of the oxygen we breathe and feed ocean life. Glossary in the ocean and the health of vegetation on land (JAXA).
Source: JAXA, GCOM-C "SHIKISAI"
Get Involved With GCOM-C
Want to go deeper? JAXA has the full GCOM-C story.
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