Space Solution

Movie script

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency known as JAXA was organized to promote research and development in the field of aerospace exploration.
It aims to contribute to international cooperation and to realize safe and affluent society.

In January of 2006, JAXA launched Daichi, the Advanced Land Observing Satellite or ALOS, to observe land coverage globally and precisely.

THE CHALLENGE

Daichi has been entrusted with four missions. Mapping, precise observation of regional land coverage, disaster monitoring and resource survey.
To achieve them, refining the existing technology was necessary.

Yuji Osawa Senior Engineer Office of Space Applications Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency;
While trying to accomplish missions, we had encountered many technical challenges.
Importantly, we needed to improve the accuracy of observation instruments and pointing management system drastically.

THE SOLUTION

NEC has 50 year experience in the area of aerospace development including Japan’s first satellite OHSUMI.
JAXA has chosen NEC as the leading company for Daichi’s system intergration. NEC was put in charge of its design, development, manufacture, testing and operation support in orbit.

Kenji Ichikawa Chief Engineer Space System Division NEC Corporation;
Our final goal was to make up a 4 ton satellite with large and precision instruments that would operate reliantly in orbit with multiple data handling capabilities.
To achieve it, NEC tackled this project with all our strength.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Daichi carries a precise panchromatic sensor "PRISM" to observe detailed conditions of land from three directions. With it, Daichi can gauge geographical features and urban districts three-dimensionally.

In addition, Daichi has "PALSAR", the Synthetic Aperture Radar. That enables all-weather day-and -night observation of the earth’s surface even through thick clouds.

Daichi takes high-density and high-resolution photographs. They are transmitted to earth at a rate of 278 Mega Symbol Per Second, which is approximately 20 times better than usual satellites.

Yuji Osawa Senior Engineer Office of Space Applications Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency;
Daichi is the first satellite that succeeded to transmit data on the high frequency of Ka-Band to the earth via Japan’s data-relay satellite "KODAMA".

THE BENEFITS

Daichi can carry out emergency observation anywhere in the world within two days in good weather, five days in bad weather.

When the 8.4 magnitude Sumatra earthquake occurred in September of 2007, Daichi conducted an observation five days after. Also, Daichi photographed tectonic movement in the disaster area.
JAXA provided the data for Sentinel Asia, an international project that monitors natural disasters.

Yuji Osawa Senior Engineer Office of Space Applications Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency;
Actually, there are restrictions on photographing from airplanes.
By using Daichi, however, we could monitor the conditions of the disaster at a time.
With that data, disaster prevention organizations could decide from what place they should undertake.

Also, that data would be a help for the International Charter of "Space and Major Disasters" in swift recovery and the prevention of secondary damage.

By developing aerospace solutions such as Daichi spacecraft, NEC will continue to contribute to environmental activities and disaster prevention.