Termination of the Marine Observation Satellite-1/1b(MOS-1b) operation

 Termination of the Marine Observation Satellite-1/1b(MOS-1b) was 

launched on February 7,1990 by an H-I launch vehicle. For over six

years it has been observing the earth environment by sending Multi-

spectoral Electronic Self-Scanning Radiometer(MESSR), Visible

and Thermal Infrared Radiometer(VTIR) and Micro Scanning Radio-

meter(MSR) data to the National Space Development Agency of Japan

(NASDA)/Earth Observation Center(EOC) and overseas ground stations.



 However,degradation of the batteries installed on MOS-1b is becoming

evident.NASDA has been trying to find a way to continue routine operations.

 Unfortunately,there does not appear to be a solution to the battery

degradation problem. Thus,NASDA has decided to terminate Termination 

of the Marine Observation Satellite-1/1b(MOS-1/1b) operations by the end 

of this April. The schedule for termination is shown below.



  1.MOS-1b observation operations will finish on April 19, 1996.



  2.After that,NASDA will perform final verification tests to confirm 

    its function and use up remaining fuel. The MOS-1b radio signal 

    will be turned off on April 26,1996.



 On behalf of NASDA, I would like to sincerely express our appreciation 

of your cooperation and our good relationship. We look forward to success 

in ongoing and future missions.We are very sorry for any inconvenience 

we may have caused you to your ground station by this sudden termination.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Mr.Takao Fukuda 

at any time. His phone number and E-mail address are below.



            Phone No.  : 81-492-98-1235

            Fax No.    : 81-492-98-1001

            E-mail     : fukuda@eoc.jaxa.jp



Heartfelt regards,



Hideo Satoh

(NASDA/EOC)