Utilizing Space Through Satellites

Satellites offer a wide variety of valuable services. These include communications and weather observation, which are essential to modern life, as well as astronomical observation and space development. Japanese satellites now in orbit are performing missions in a wide range of areas. For example, they have been playing an important role in assessing and analyzing abnormal weather patterns. For the purpose of planetary exploration, plans are under way for sending probes to the Moon and Mars.

Utilizing Space Through Satellites

Satellites monitoring Climate Change

Forest area change detection by“ DAICHI” series

Earth observation satellites have the advantage of being able to measure the concentration of greenhouse gases and monitor the forest cover globally, and thus the utilization of satellite data is included in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. Through cooperation with environmental agencies around the world, JAXA will contribute to the Paris Agreement by improving the accuracy of the data that can be used as scientific evidence to support the understanding of greenhouse gas emission and absorption.

Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP)

GSMaP is a highly accurate, high-resolution and near real-time map of global precipitation developed with data from satellites including GPM Core Observatory and SHIZUKU. The map is used in various fields such as rainfall monitoring, flood prediction, drought monitoring, agriculture and education.

GSMaP precipitation distribution

The operation status of satellites/probes is basically categorized into the following phases: “Under development”, “In Operation”, “Latter Phase In Operation” ,“Post operation” and “Transferred”.

  • In Operation: Operation during regular mission period (including initial operation period after launch)
  • Latter Phase In Operation: Operation following the completion of the regular mission period operation. When completing the regular mission period operation, the condition of the satellite/probe is checked to decide whether a latter phase in operation is required.

Earth Observation Satellites

In Operation

Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4“DAICHI-4” (ALOS-4)

Taking over from DAICHI-2 to enhance the functionality and performance

Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer(EarthCARE)

Helping to improve predictions for changes in weather

Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 "IBUKI-2" (GOSAT-2)

Taking over from IBUKI to enhance the functionality and performance of greenhouse gas observations

Latter Phase In Operation

Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM/DPR)

Global Precipitation Observation at Three Hour Intervals with GPM Core Satellite and Constellation Satellites

Global Change Observation Mission - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W)

Observing All Environmental Changes on Earth for Present and Future Generations

Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT)

"IBUKI": Global efforts to protect the environment.

Under Development

The Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW)

Taking over from SHIZUKU and IBUKI-2 to enhance the functionality and performance of water cycle variation observations and greenhouse gas observations

Communication, Positioning and Engineering Test Satellites

In Operation

Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS)

Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS) to handle an increase in acquired data volume

The Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstoration-2 (JapaneseOnly)

The Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstoration-2

Latter Phase In Operation

Experimental Geodetic Satellite "AJISAI" (EGS)

To establish Japan’s geodetic origin through accurate land surveying from space.

Under Development

Engineering Test Satellite 9(ETS-9)

Engineering Test Satellite-9 is a demonstration satellite to achieve next generation geostationary satellite

Past Projects

Missions Launch date~End of mission
RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-2(RAISE-2) 2021/11/09~2023/04/07
DAICHI-3(ALOS-3) 2023/03/07(*Launch Date)
As a result of a failed rocket launch, the "ALOS-3" was unable to be deployed into orbit.
Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3(RAISE-3) 2022/10/12(*Launch Date)
As a result of a failed rocket launch, the "RAISE-3" was unable to be deployed into orbit.
Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) 2009/01/23~2019/12/02(*JAXA and SKY Perfect JSAT Conclude an Agreement on the Transfer of the Small Demonstration Satellite-4)
RAPid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite (RAPIS-1) 2019/01/18~2020/06/24
TSUBAME(SLATS) 2017/12/23~2019/10/01
MICHIBIKI(QZSS) 2010/09/11~2017/02/28(*QZS-1 off to the Cabinet Office's Control
Small Demonstration Satellite-1(SDS-1) 2009/01/23~2010/09/08
KIZUNA(WINDS) 2008/02/23~2019/02/27
KIKU-8(ETS-VIII) 2006/012/18~2017/01/10
DAICHI(ALOS) 2006/01/24~2011/05/12
KIRARI(OICETS) 2005/08/24~2009/09/24
KODAMA(DRTS) 2002/09/10~2017/08/05
Aqua/AMSR-E 2002/05/04~2015/12/04
Micro-LabSat 2002/12/14~2006/09/27
TSUBASA(MDS-1) 2002/02/04~2003/09/27
Midori II(ADEOS-II) "2002/12/14~2003/10(*Earth Observation Operation of Midori-II) "
KAKEHASHI(COMETS) 1998/02/21~1999/08/06
TRMM 1997/011/28~2015/06/16
KIKU-7(ETS-VII) 1997/011/28~2002/10/30
MIDORI(ADEOS) 1996/08/17~1997/06/30
Himawari-5(GMS-5) 1995/03/16~1995/06/21(*GMS-5 was transferred to Japan Meteorological Agency.)
KIKU-6(ETS-VI) 1994/08/28~1996/07/09
FUYO-1(JERS-1) 1992/02/11~1998/10/12
Yuri-3(BS-3b) 1991/08/25~1998/11/30
Yuri-3(BS-3a) 1990/08/28~1998/04/20
Momo-1b(MOS-1b) 1990/02/7~1996/04/17
Himawari-4(GMS-4) 1989/09/06~2000/02/24
Sakura-3b(CS-3b) 1988/09/16~1996/05/31
Sakura-3a(CS-3a) 1988/02/19~1995/11/30
KIKU-5((ETS-V) 1987/08/27~1997/09/12
Momo-1(MOS-1) 1987/02/19~1995/11/29
Yuri-2b(BS-2b) 1986/02/12~1991/10/24
Himawari-3(GMS-3) 1984/08/03~1995/06/23
Yuri-2a(BS-2a) 1984/01/23~1989/April
Sakura-2b(CS-2b) 1983/08/06~1990/01/23
Sakura-2a(CS-2a) 1983/02/04~1990/12/03
KIKU-4((ETS-III) 1982/09/03~1985/03/08
Himawari-2(GMS-2) 1981/08/11~1987/11/20
KIKU-3((ETS-IV) 1981/02/11~1984/12/24
Ayame-2(ECS-b) "1980/02/22~1980/02/25 "
Ayame(ECS) "1979/02/6~2/2/9 "
UME-2(ISS-b) 1978/02/16~1983/02/23
Yuri(BS) 1978/04/08~1982/January
KIKU-2((ETS-II) 1977/02/23~1990/12/10
Himawari(GMS) 1977/07/14~1989/06/30
Sakura(CS) 1977/12/15~1985/11/25
UME(ISS) 1976/02/29~1976/04/02
KIKU-1((ETS-I) 1975/09/09~1982/04/28

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