About AMSR  › AMSR misson overview › AMSR-E Data Processing and Operational Uses
Instrument specifications and general summaries of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR), and its sister instrument, the AMSR for EOS (AMSR-E), which were developed by JAXA, are described.

Outline of AMSR Mission

AMSR-E Data Processing and Operational Uses

Aqua / AMSR-E

(1) Aqua / AMSR-E

 NASA Svalbard Satellite Station

(2) NASA Svalbard Satellite Station
   
EOC Hatoyama

(3) EOC Hatoyama

(4) Main data distribution

Fig. 1.4.1 Flow of observed data

Data observed by AMSR-E are received by facilities located overseas and then sent to the Earth Observation Center (EOC) located in Hatoyama. EOC processes the data and distributes them to users. Worldwide data are distributed online to users within an average of four hours after observation. Distributions are made to the Earth Observation Research and application Center (EORC), NASA, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Japan Fisheries Information Service Center (JAFIC). In addition, data are also distributed to those researchers with whom we are performing collaborative research.

The JMA uses water vapor content, rainfall data as initial values for numerical weather forecasts. Using AMSR-E data can improve forecast accuracy. The JAFIC uses sea surface temperature data for analysis of fishing conditions and distributes fishing and marine condition diagrams that are prepared using this data to fishermen's cooperative associations. The Japan Coast Guard uses AMSR-E sea-ice distribution diagrams as references for ensuring safe voyages for ships.