The emphasis of the GOSAT constellation is on atmospheric monitoring to clarify the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on a sub-continental scale. Through analysing the GOSAT data, scientists accumulate new knowledge on the global distribution and temporal variation of greenhouse gases.

The overall mission objective is to contribute to environmental monitoring by estimating the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) source and sink on a sub-continental scale and to support the Kyoto protocol that was accepted at the third UNFCC Conference of the Parties in 1997.