Why is JAXA developing an Earth Observation Satellite?
Why is JAXA developing an Earth Observation Satellite?
That is because JAXA aims at building a safe, secure and prosperous society. Earth observation satellites observe a wide area of land, ocean and sky from space. The observation data is useful in various fields such as numerical weather prediction, disaster monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, safe and efficient shipping route provision, improving agricultural productivity.
In addition, in order to solve global environmental issues caused by human activities such as deforestation, ozone depletion and global warming, it is important to observe the entire Earth uniformly other than only ground-based observations. The satellite can provide the only means to realize that. The information observed by satellites from space is utilized for understanding the current state of climate change and research to reveal its mechanisms.
In this way, JAXA is engaged in activities to enrich people’s lives through daily monitoring using our Earth observation satellites as eyes watching over the Earth from space.
Does JAXA need to develop an Earth observation satellite?
Recently, many startup companies have started to develop their own satellites and use the data for business purposes. One of JAXA’s missions is to revitalize the space industry in a sustainable way. Therefore, we are actively supporting the activities of private sectors that utilize space.
However, there are still some fields that are difficult to establish as a business, such as disaster management and the environment. For example, as soon as a disaster occurs, ALOS-2 will observe the disaster area according to our instruction from the ground. For the prompt response like this, the operators are required to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even when there is no disaster, which needs a lot of labor cost. In addition, it would not be wise to make a lot of money by using observation data from the disaster area.
For these reasons, we believe that JAXA needs to continue to fully play a role in this field, which is difficult for private sectors to involve, in order to fulfill the critical purpose of protecting your lives and future. And also it is an important role for JAXA to lead the way in space development by developing leading-edge technologies, and to boost the Japanese space industry.
