1. Summary

The geostationary meteorological satellites of Japan have been nicknamed as "Himawari" but we also have a period when the name was not "Himawari." This page summarizes information about recent geostationary meteorological satellites. For your information, satellite images are accessible at Digital Typhoon and Images and Movies of Himawari-8 / Himawari-9 - Next Generation Weather Satellite.

2. Difference of Meteorological Satellites

Those meteorological satellites are located in different positions and equipped with sensors with different characteristics as shown below. We also provide related information in the page of Typhoon 200303, which was happened to be active at the time of the switchover.

	Himawari-5 (GMS-5)	GOES-9	Himawari-6 (MTSAT-1R) / Himawari-7 (MTSAT-2)	Himawari-8 / Himawari-9
Visible (VIS)	0.55-0.90 μm @ (1.25km / 6bits)	0.55-0.75 μm @ (1km / 10bits)	0.55-0.90 μm @ (1km / 10bits)	0.64 μm @ (0.5km / 11bits)
Infrared 1 (IR1)	10.5-11.5 μm @ (5km / 8bits)	10.2-11.2 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	10.3-11.3 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	10.4 μm @ (2km / 12bits)
Infrared 2 (IR2)	11.5-12.5 μm @ (5km / 8bits)	11.5-12.5 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	11.5-12.5 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	12.4 μm @ (2km / 12bits)
Infrared 3 (IR3)	6.5-7.0 μm @ (5km / 8bits)	6.50-7.00 μm @ (8km / 10bits)	6.5-7.0 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	6.2 μm @ (2km / 11bits)
Infrared 4 (IR4)	Not Available	3.80-4.00 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	3.5-4.0 μm @ (4km / 10bits)	3.9 μm @ (2km / 14bits)
Frequency	1 hour	1 hour	1 hour (two observations in one hour for the northern and the southern hemisphere)	10 minutes
Position (Equator / 35,800km above)	140 E	155 E	140 E (MTSAT-2 in standby at 145 E)	140.7 E
Coverage

• Coverage images were made from the Blue Marble Data.

3. Generation of Meteorological Satellites

According to the OSCAR (Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool) from WMO, the generation of geostationary meterological satellites can be divided as follows.

The standard data format has been changed for each generation.

1. 1st generation: VISSR (Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer) / S-VISSR (Stretched VISSR)
2. 2nd generation: HRIT (High Rate Information Transmission)
3. 3rd generation: HS (Himawari Standard)

4. History of 'the Successor of Himawari' Problem

The successor of Himawari, MTSAT-1R, was launched successfully on February 26, 2005. The real-time report and other technical information was provided at MTSAT-1R / H-IIA F7 Countdown. Also I reported the launch from the site on the weblog Keeping Track of MTSAT! (in Japanese). The following briefly summarizes the chronology of the launch of MTSAT-1R, although most links (simply written as "Link") are written in Japanese.

On June 28, 2005, the geostationary meteorolgical satellite of Japan is switched over to Himawari-6 (MTSAT-1R). The satellite has been GOES-9 since May 22, 2003, but the satellite now returned to the series of "Himawari" satellites. Other latest information about Himawari-6 is also updated at Keeping Track of MTSAT! (in Japanese).

Chronology

5. Meteorological Satellite Image Databases

• Digital Typhoon

6. Related Links

• Japan Meteorological Agency | Sitemap (on Meteorological Satellites)

  Japan Meteorological Agency. Available in Japanese.

  http://www.data.kishou.go.jp/satellite/sitemap.html

• MTSAT- JMA's Satellite Home Page

  Japan Meteorological Agency. Information on MTSAT series that are now being used as "Himawari" meteorological satellites.

  http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/satellite/

• Geostationary Meteorological Satellites "Himawari"

  Popular meteorological satellite in Japan for weather forecast. An introductory page from NASDA.

  http://www.nasda.go.jp/sat/gms/index_e.html

• Meteorological Satellite Center

  Meteorological Satellite Center (JMA). Information about GMS satellite.

  http://mscweb.kishou.go.jp/

• Space Programme | WMO

  World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Operational meteorological satellites in the world.

  http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/globalplanning_en.php

• GOES Project Science

  Images, Data Books and FAQ about GOES Project.

  http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/

• 40+ Years of Earth Science - The Geostationary Operational Environmenal Satellite Program

  The History of GOES Project.

  http://www.earth.nasa.gov/history/goes/goes.html

• NOAASIS - NOAA Satellite Information System for NOAA Meteorological / Weather Satellites

  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A brief summary of meteorological / weather satellites (geostationary and polar-orbiting) in the United States.

  http://noaasis.noaa.gov/NOAASIS/ml/genlsatl.html

• Weather Forecast in a Pinch?

  Asahi Shimbun. Available in Japanese.

  http://www.asahi.com/edu/newsland/1003a.html

• Himawari 5 Retired

  Mainichi Shimbun. Available in Japanese.

  http://weather.mainichi.co.jp/news/200305/31-02.html

• @nifty: Daily Portal Z: Say Goodbye To Himawari 5

  Available in Japanese.

  http://portal.nifty.com/special05/11/12/

• Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) / H-II Launch Vehicle No.8 | NASDA

  The collection of press releases from NASDA about the failure of launch of MTSAT.

  http://www.nasda.go.jp/press/category/back-h2f8_e.html

• H-IIA Launch Vehicle

  JAXA's main site about the H-IIA rocket.

  http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/rockets/h2a/index_e.html

• Satellite Launch Delayed Again

  Available in Japanese.

  http://biztech.nikkeibp.co.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/biztech/mech/243396

• Space Policy in Japan: "Who Takes the Responsibility" Prevents the Next Launch

  Available in Japanese.

  http://nikkeibp.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/jp/biz/312344

• H-IIA Rocket: Too Early to Say "Banzai" on the Success of the Launch

  Available in Japanese.

  http://nikkeibp.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/jp/flash/361778

• Opinions on MTSAT

  Opinions on technical problems of MTSAT.

  http://www.geocities.com/jspacetrue/