The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) will perform high-resolution observation of the earth's surface to assist in the process of compiling very detailed maps of the Pacific rim region. ALOS will also be used to monitor disasters for environmental protection and for maintaining and developing earth observation technology. ALOS launched on January 24, 2006.

Mission Instrumentation:

ALOS has the following instrumentation onboard:

Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM)
Advanced Visible Near-Infrared Radiometer-2 (AVNIR-2)
Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR)
Data control system
Retroreflector array

Mission Parameters:

ALOS Parameters
Sponsor:	JAXA
Expected Life:	3 years
Primary Applications:	Mapping and environmental monitoring
Primary SLR Applications:	Precision orbit determination
COSPAR ID:	0600201
SIC Code:	1557
NORAD SSC Code:	28931
Launch Date:	January 24, 2006
RRA Diameter:	20 cm
RRA Shape:	Hemisphere
Reflectors:	9
Orbit:	Circular, sun-synchronous sub-recurrent
Inclination:	98 degrees
Eccentricity:	0.001
Perigee:	720 km
Period:	99 minutes
Weight:	3,750 kg

Additional Information:

JAXA ALOS Home Page
Earth Observing Research Center (EORC)