Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) measures weak microwave signals emitted from natural sources such as the earth's surface and atmosphere.
The development of microwave radiometers in Japan began in the 1970s. The first microwave radiometer was the Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MSR). It was launched in February 1987 onboard the Marine Observation Satellite (MOS-1). MOS-1 stopped operation in November 1995 after obtaining data near Japan and confirming the sensor's functionality. In February 1990, its successor, MOS-1b, which had the same performance as MOS-1, was also launched. Later in 2002, NASDA (now JAXA) developed two Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometers (AMSR; Advanced MSR). One is AMSR-E on NASA Aqua satellite (launched in May 2002), and the other is AMSR on JAXA's ADEOS-II satellite (launched in December 2002).
The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) onboard GCOM-W is currently in operation. AMSR3 is scheduled to be launched in FY2024.
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Global Observing Satellite for Greenhouse Gases and Water Cycle
GOSAT-GW (AMSR3 mounted)
GOSAT-GW is an earth observation satellite that is responsible for the greenhouse gas observation mission (Ministry of the Environment and National Institute for Environmental Studies) and the water cycle change observation mission (JAXA).
For more information, please click here.[Under Development] -
Global Change Observation Mission - Water "SHIZUKU"
GCOM-W (AMSR2 mounted)
Taking over from AMSR and AMSR-E, the antenna is one of the world's largest class with a diameter of 2m, and 7.3GHz has been added as a countermeasure against radio interference.
For more information, please click here.[In Operation] -
NASA Aqua Satellite
Aqua (AMSR-E mounted)
Aqua is an Earth observation satellite developed by NASA to understand the global environmental system (atmosphere, clouds, snow and ice, water, vegetation, etc.). It is mounted with AMSR-E, which has been modified for Aqua.
For more information, please click here.[AMSR-E Operation Completed] -
Advanced Earth Observation Satellite-II "Midori II"
ADEOS-II (AMSR mounted)
ADEOS-II is designed to observe environmental changes on a global scale, such as extreme weather events around the world and the ozone hole in Antarctica.
For more information, please click here.[Operation Completed] -
Marine Observation Satellite MOS-1 / MOS1b
MOS-1 / MOS-1b (MSR mounted)
MOS-1 was developed as the first Earth observation satellite based on Japan's own technology to meet the need for effective use of Earth resources and environmental conservation.
For more information, please click here.[Operation Completed]