GOSAT (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite) is a satellite that aims to contribute to these treaties by monitoring the distribution of the density of carbon dioxide, which is one Greenhouse gas. GOSAT is a project that has been jointly developed by JAXA and Japan's Ministry of the Environment. JAXA is responsible for the development of the satellite itself and an observing sensor, while the ministry is mainly in charge of the utilization of the data obtained. GOSAT is scheduled to be launched 2009. The Name Ibuki has been selected in October 2008 as the nickname for the GOSAT mission.

So far, the number of ground-based carbon dioxide observation points has been limited, and they have been distributed unequally throughout the world. GOSAT will enable the precise monitoring of the density of carbon dioxide by combining global observation data sent from space with data obtained on land, and with simulation models. In addition, observation of methane, another Greenhouse gas, has been considered.

Furthermore, the installment of the Stratospheric Wind Interferometer for Transport Studies (SWIFT), developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), has been studied. This sensor can monitor wind speeds and the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, enabling observation of the ozone layer on a global scale.

The design of GOSAT has been changed to two solar panels for higher redundancy, as the single Panel of ADEOS 2 lead to the total loss of this satellite.

SOHLA 1 (Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association 1) is a small demonstration mission by a group of small- to medium-sized businesses in Osaka Prefecture.

Its purpose is to invigorate regional industries by developing useful satellites, to serve as a trial experiment for future smallmulti-purpose satellites and to observe thunderstorms.

Kagawa University's STARS 1 (Space Tethered Autonomous Robotic Satellite), also known as Kukai, consists of a Mother Satellite and a Daughter Satellite connected by a tether 10 m in length. The Mother Satellite (Ku) deploys the tether having the Daughter Satellite (Kai) at its end. Daughter Satellite has one arm, and the tether is attached at its end. Then attitude control by arm motion using tether tension is possible. Main mission is to take pictures of a satellite during tether deployment.

The Daughter Satellite takes pictures of the Mother Satellite, and transmittes these to ground stations through amateur radio frequency.

The STARS 1 satellite was successfully launched, but suffered from problems during tether deployment, which eventually reached only a few decimeters and stability issues.

KKS 1 (Kouku Kousen Satellite 1), also known as Kiseki, is a small, educational technology satellite built by the Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology.

Its purpose is to:

- To demonstrate (prove) experiments on micro-thrusters
- To conduct basic experiments on 3-axis attitude control
- To take land images with a camera

Kagayaki (SORUNSAT 1) is a small satellite to demonstrate different technologies and to invite handicapped children to the launch site and carry their messages.

Kagayaki will demonstrate technologies to:

- To perform an autonomous control system
- To perform an inflatable progress boom
- To detect space debris
- To observe aurora

The satellite was successfuly orbited, but no signals were received.

PRISM (Picosatellite for Remote-sensing and Innovative Space Missions), also known as Hitomi, is a technology pathfinder mission of ISSL (Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory) at the University of Tokyo (UT), Japan, to serve as a first attempt at applying nano-satellites to practical missions.

PRISM's mission is to:

- To conduct technical experiments on Ground Image Acquisition using a refracted optical system with an extensible boom (expected resolution of 10 m to 30 m)
- To conduct technical experiments and demonstrate a nano-satellite bus using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts
- To perform various services and experiments for the amateur radio community

PRISM was launched in January 2009 as a piggy-back payload on an H-2A-202 rocket. By 2014, it was still active.

SpriteSat is an Earth observation satellite built by the Tohoku University located in Sendai, Japan. The space mission is to monitor Sprites (lightning effects) phenomenon in the upper atmosphere.

SDS 1 (Small Demonstration Satellite 1) is a small technology experiment satellite developed by JAXA. The ca. 100 kg satellite will demonstrate following technologies

- MTP (Multi-mode integrated Transponder)
- SWIM (SpaceWire demonstration Module)
- AMI (Advanced Micro processing In-orbit experiment equipment)
- TFC (Thin Film Solar Cell)
- DOS (Small Dosimeter)
- Small satellite bus technology experiment.