Ground upheaval caused by the earthquake in the Solomon Islands. The upheaval occurred in the directions of the arrows.
Drifting sea ice northwest of Canada stranded about 100 fishing boats. The bright area is sea ice, and the red dots are thought to be the grounded ships.
Engineering Test Satellites VIII “KIKU No.8”(ETS-VIII)
Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS)
Q. Could you tell us about JAXA's efforts at international cooperation in satellite-aided disaster management?
JAXA contributes to international cooperation in disaster management through its memberships in the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” and the Sentinel Asia. The International Charter primarily consists of space agencies around the world, with the aim of providing Earth observation satellite data when large-scale disasters strike. Sentinel Asia aims to share information on the Internet for disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region. Forest fires and floods are serious problems in Asian countries. We establish a system to monitor fires, generate real-time maps of forest fires, and even predict the direction of a fire's movement. We are also looking into the possibility of monitoring flooding areas and predicting floods by combining earth observation satellite data with meteorological satellite data. We at JAXA lead satellite applications for disaster management efforts to mitigate disaster damage worldwide, particularly in Asia.
Q. What are Daichi's achievements so far in disaster observation?
In Japan, Daichi observed the area affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in March 2007, and confirmed upheaval in the region. Daichi is also providing the Japan Coast Guard with information about sea ice movement, and contributing to analysis of diastrophism in the vicinity of the island of Iwo Jima, which relates to the prediction of volcanic activity. Internationally, Daichi has conducted emergency observations for large-scale disasters, especially in Asia. These have included the landslide in Leyte, Philippines, in February 2006; the eruption of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia; an oil spill in the east of the Indian Ocean; flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia; an earthquake in the Solomon Islands; and sea ice in the northwest of Canada. We would like to continue to make emergency observation a high priority, and to contribute to disaster management around the world.
Q. In addition to Daichi, are there any other satellite projects for disaster management?
We have the Engineering Test Satellite VIII (ETS-VIII), also known as Kiku No. 8, which was launched in December 2006, and the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS), which is scheduled for launch this fiscal year. ETS-VIII will make mobile communications more convenient, allowing direct satellite communications using a handheld terminal. WINDS will allow ultra-high-speed data communications with a ground antenna of 45 cm or less in diameter. WINDS will be able to transmit a large volume of pictures or video very quickly, even in nations where only slow Internet speed is available. Since these satellites don't require ground relay stations, we will be able to receive and transmit information directly through satellites even in the mountains or on the sea, beyond normal service range. These satellite communications systems will help rescue efforts in disaster areas by allowing us to collect information more promptly, especially if ground communications facilities are damaged or in areas without advanced communications infrastructure. We are also looking into the possibility of supplying Daichi data by WINDS.
JAXA has been demonstrating communication satellite applications for disaster management since around 2002. In 2006, we participated in disaster prevention drills held by the cities of Kochi and Owase, and demonstrated the viability of using satellite communications systems to gather and share information. We had some city employees and firefighters operate small communications terminals and file reports to the disaster management headquarters. We also did simulations of requesting relief goods between Kochi and Owase. It was a great opportunity for us to get feedback about the terminals, especially from those who actually work at disaster scenes.
Another project we're developing is the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for disaster management. QZSS will provide high-speed mobile communications and high-resolution positioning information anywhere in Japan, without being influenced by interference from buildings or mountains. With its ability to pinpoint positions even inside buildings, we think the satellite might also help rescue people trapped indoors after an earthquake, for instance. The first QZSS satellite is currently under development, and its launch is scheduled for 2009.
Q. Why is JAXA so devoted to disaster management?
Japan is a country prone to major natural disasters, and so there are robust disaster management systems at both the national and local levels. Also, satellite technologies are now reaching the level where they can contribute significantly to disaster management, in terms of communications, broadcasting, meteorology, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). It is our duty to provide spin-off benefits for society from the satellites we have developed. We emphasize disaster management with satellites because it is very important for us to consider how space can directly benefit society and ensure security and prosperity.
Q. What would JAXA like to achieve in the field of satellites in the future?
My role is to promote satellite applications, not just for disaster management but for other purposes as well. Direct broadcast satellites and meteorological satellites have become part of our daily life. Similarly, I'd like to build a society where satellites are used for a variety of purposes without people necessarily being aware it. If an Earth observation satellite such as Daichi starts making more contributions when a disaster happens, it will bring us closer to such a world. JAXA is currently developing the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite, and the Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM). I'm already looking forward to the benefits these satellites will bring to our society.
I'm also very interested in promoting satellite applications for telemedicine and distance education. At the moment, we are the ones making suggestions for satellite applications, but eventually, I'd like us to be receiving regular requests from user organizations regarding the types of satellites they'd like us to develop or the type of information they'd like to acquire. The most important thing is for satellite data to be utilized. Although I believe that the government should play a primary role in leading projects for disaster management and the global environment, I'd like to see a stronger relationship with the private sector to cultivate new satellite applications. I'd like to stretch the potential of satellites, which will benefit society, directly contributing to people's daily lives.
JAXA contributes to international cooperation in disaster management through its memberships in the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” and the Sentinel Asia. The International Charter primarily consists of space agencies around the world, with the aim of providing Earth observation satellite data when large-scale disasters strike. Sentinel Asia aims to share information on the Internet for disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region. Forest fires and floods are serious problems in Asian countries. We establish a system to monitor fires, generate real-time maps of forest fires, and even predict the direction of a fire's movement. We are also looking into the possibility of monitoring flooding areas and predicting floods by combining earth observation satellite data with meteorological satellite data. We at JAXA lead satellite applications for disaster management efforts to mitigate disaster damage worldwide, particularly in Asia.
Q. What are Daichi's achievements so far in disaster observation?
In Japan, Daichi observed the area affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in March 2007, and confirmed upheaval in the region. Daichi is also providing the Japan Coast Guard with information about sea ice movement, and contributing to analysis of diastrophism in the vicinity of the island of Iwo Jima, which relates to the prediction of volcanic activity. Internationally, Daichi has conducted emergency observations for large-scale disasters, especially in Asia. These have included the landslide in Leyte, Philippines, in February 2006; the eruption of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia; an oil spill in the east of the Indian Ocean; flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia; an earthquake in the Solomon Islands; and sea ice in the northwest of Canada. We would like to continue to make emergency observation a high priority, and to contribute to disaster management around the world.
Q. In addition to Daichi, are there any other satellite projects for disaster management?
We have the Engineering Test Satellite VIII (ETS-VIII), also known as Kiku No. 8, which was launched in December 2006, and the Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS), which is scheduled for launch this fiscal year. ETS-VIII will make mobile communications more convenient, allowing direct satellite communications using a handheld terminal. WINDS will allow ultra-high-speed data communications with a ground antenna of 45 cm or less in diameter. WINDS will be able to transmit a large volume of pictures or video very quickly, even in nations where only slow Internet speed is available. Since these satellites don't require ground relay stations, we will be able to receive and transmit information directly through satellites even in the mountains or on the sea, beyond normal service range. These satellite communications systems will help rescue efforts in disaster areas by allowing us to collect information more promptly, especially if ground communications facilities are damaged or in areas without advanced communications infrastructure. We are also looking into the possibility of supplying Daichi data by WINDS.
JAXA has been demonstrating communication satellite applications for disaster management since around 2002. In 2006, we participated in disaster prevention drills held by the cities of Kochi and Owase, and demonstrated the viability of using satellite communications systems to gather and share information. We had some city employees and firefighters operate small communications terminals and file reports to the disaster management headquarters. We also did simulations of requesting relief goods between Kochi and Owase. It was a great opportunity for us to get feedback about the terminals, especially from those who actually work at disaster scenes.
Another project we're developing is the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for disaster management. QZSS will provide high-speed mobile communications and high-resolution positioning information anywhere in Japan, without being influenced by interference from buildings or mountains. With its ability to pinpoint positions even inside buildings, we think the satellite might also help rescue people trapped indoors after an earthquake, for instance. The first QZSS satellite is currently under development, and its launch is scheduled for 2009.
Q. Why is JAXA so devoted to disaster management?
Japan is a country prone to major natural disasters, and so there are robust disaster management systems at both the national and local levels. Also, satellite technologies are now reaching the level where they can contribute significantly to disaster management, in terms of communications, broadcasting, meteorology, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). It is our duty to provide spin-off benefits for society from the satellites we have developed. We emphasize disaster management with satellites because it is very important for us to consider how space can directly benefit society and ensure security and prosperity.
Q. What would JAXA like to achieve in the field of satellites in the future?
My role is to promote satellite applications, not just for disaster management but for other purposes as well. Direct broadcast satellites and meteorological satellites have become part of our daily life. Similarly, I'd like to build a society where satellites are used for a variety of purposes without people necessarily being aware it. If an Earth observation satellite such as Daichi starts making more contributions when a disaster happens, it will bring us closer to such a world. JAXA is currently developing the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite, and the Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM). I'm already looking forward to the benefits these satellites will bring to our society.
I'm also very interested in promoting satellite applications for telemedicine and distance education. At the moment, we are the ones making suggestions for satellite applications, but eventually, I'd like us to be receiving regular requests from user organizations regarding the types of satellites they'd like us to develop or the type of information they'd like to acquire. The most important thing is for satellite data to be utilized. Although I believe that the government should play a primary role in leading projects for disaster management and the global environment, I'd like to see a stronger relationship with the private sector to cultivate new satellite applications. I'd like to stretch the potential of satellites, which will benefit society, directly contributing to people's daily lives.
Hideshi Kozawa
Associate Executive Director, JAXA
Mr. Kozawa was born in Kyoto in 1948. After obtaining a degree in electrical engineering from Kyoto University in 1971, he joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). Subsequently, he was engaged in the development of satellite tracking and control systems, as well as the operation system for the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) of the International Space Station. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Kozawa served as the Director of NASDA's Washington office in the United States. After returning to Japan, he was JEM Project Manager, NASDA Strategic Planning Director, and Director of the Strategic Planning and Management Department in 2003, when JAXA was formed. He has supervised satellite applications as JAXA's Associate Executive Director since October 2005.
Associate Executive Director, JAXA
Mr. Kozawa was born in Kyoto in 1948. After obtaining a degree in electrical engineering from Kyoto University in 1971, he joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). Subsequently, he was engaged in the development of satellite tracking and control systems, as well as the operation system for the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) of the International Space Station. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Kozawa served as the Director of NASDA's Washington office in the United States. After returning to Japan, he was JEM Project Manager, NASDA Strategic Planning Director, and Director of the Strategic Planning and Management Department in 2003, when JAXA was formed. He has supervised satellite applications as JAXA's Associate Executive Director since October 2005.
Hideshi Kozawa Satoru Nishikawa Tatsuya Yamashiro / Munehiro Nagumo Orbita Roswintiarti History of JAXA's Earth Observations
