This article overviews and discusses achievements and issues in the earth observation satellite development for the atmospheric sciences. There are large progresses in the remote sensing technology such as better FOV, lifetime, and various measurement geometries, i.e. multi-viewing, polarization, radiation spectrum, and active sensing, which make it possible to provide ample satellite data for data analysis and modeling in the wide applications such as weather forecasting, air pollution monitoring, climate study and disaster reduction. Future prospects are expected for realizing further contributions to the solution of societal problems. To attain this goal, further development of new technologies and increasing cost-performance are needed.

We propose a collaboration study between numerical models and ground remote-sensing observation data over the metropolitan area of Tokyo. The initiative is called ULTIMATE (ULTra-sIte for Measuring Atmosphere of Tokyo metropolitan Environment), in which using an intensive observation data in the Tokyo area together with satellite observations, cloud microphysics schemes of numerical models are evaluated and improved. We have various kinds of remote sensing data by radars and lidars in the Tokyo area both for operational and research purposes.

In particular, we will consider the use of observation data planned for ground validation of the EarhCARE satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in FY2022. We will also use the dual-polarization Doppler weather radar, which is now in operation at the Japan Meteorological Agency. As for the numerical models, we will consider the use and comparison of several models. We particularly focus on the evaluation and improvement of the Non-hydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM), which can be used seamlessly on both global and regional domains, allowing us to quickly test the improved scheme on a global scale, compare it with satellite observations, and estimate climate sensitivity. In addition, this study aims to improve short time forecasts for several hours and beyond by improving the cloud microphysics scheme by using the local model “asuca” of the Japan Meteorological Agency.

After the experiences of disasters in the last few years, we are in the pandemics of COVID-19. The Japanese society came to an aspect of degeneracy. How should remote sensing be applied to hydrology and water resource science in this era? This paper describes the ideal way of remote sensing with a view to post corona society, while it describes based on the background of the change of society.

The survey results on the current status and future prospects of satellite sensors for ocean visualization will be reported. First of all, an application example on the environmental studies was introduced as a target using ocean satellites. Next, the history and present of satellite sensor development for ocean visualization and the system were explained. High-resolution and high-frequency satellites (1 day cycle with a spatial resolution of 100 m) are required as satellite sensors in the next-generation.

This paper presents an overview of societal application of remote sensing to fisheries with recent technology development. Satellite remote sensing offers vast potential for fisheries applications, including deep-sea fishery, offshore fishery, coastal fishery, aquaculture, farming fishery, set net fishery, and distribution processing. We discuss current status and future perspective of remote sensing application for fisheries with several on-going programs. We suggest remote sensing technology apply not only to support fisheries activities but also to assist sustainable fisheries management. For development of business model with remote sensing application, co-design and co-working which involved a stakeholder, become the key. Promotion of smart fishery and precision aquaculture with the use of remote sensing, are essential to make fishery the growth industry.

This paper provides an overview and discusses the significance of Advanced Land Observing Satellites (ALOS). Japanese Earth observation programs originally consisted of two branches: the Marine Observing Satellite (MOS) for global observation and the Land Observing Satellite (LOS) for more detailed observation. The first LOS mission was conducted by the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) from 1992 to 1996. It was followed by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS, “Daichi”) from 2006 to 2011. Both achieved global data acquisition with high resolution using L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical instruments. ALOS-2, a successor of the SAR mission on ALOS, has been operating very well since 2014, and ALOS-3 and ALOS-4 are now being developed for launch in Japanese fiscal years (JFYs) 2021 and 2022 to follow the optical mission and ALOS-2, respectively. In this paper, I examine the history and future of the ALOS series.

CIRC (Compact Infrared Camera for Earth observation) is a thermal infrared imager utilizing an uncooled microbolometer. The purpose of CIRC is a technology demonstration of monitor wildfires, volcanos, and heat island phenomena utilizing CIRCs on multiple satellites. There are a limited number of thermal infrared sensors observes at nighttime frequently with about 200 meters resolution; therefore, CIRC made a good beginning of utilization in volcano monitoring.

In the history of Japanese Earth-observation satellites, technical improvements have made it possible to obtain images approximately 100 times finer than those of 40 years ago. This means that even geostationary orbit satellites, which are 60 times farther away than ordinary sun-synchronous low-orbit satellites, could now be capable of useful spatial resolution. With this in mind, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) seeks to achieve high temporal resolution image acquisition with useful spatial resolution. The new high temporal resolution satellite images are expected to be used for disasters, agriculture, coastal management, forest management, etc. For this purpose, JAXA has taken on the challenge to develop a geostationary satellite with a large segmented telescope. The main mirror will have a diameter of 3.6 m and will use the active optics technique, which will yield a ground resolution of approximately 7 m with a 100-km² field of view at nadir. It will be equipped with 7 bands from visible to near-infrared, plus one thermal infrared band. A one-segment mirror subsystem proto-model with actuator and sensor is under production and evaluation as the key technology for the large segmented telescope. An all-electric propulsion satellite bus system is under consideration as a means of supporting the heavy weight of the telescope. Additional factors that are also currently under study include adding to the propulsion system, quick pointing ability, pointing stability, precise pointing determination, and the establishment of a ground station to maintain a latency of 30 minutes for image acquisition and delivery.