Data Transmission of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite “Daichi” to the Earth Observation Center

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been carrying out the initial functional verification of the Daichi since January 28 following its launch on January 24, 2006 (Japan Standard Time).

JAXA has so far found a problem where part of the data is lost because the synchronicity between the satellite and the receiving/demodulation system on the ground has been out of sync every once in a while during direct transmission(*1) to the JAXA Earth Observation Center (in Hatoyama, Saitama) from the Daichi.

Data transmission is currently performed mainly via the data relay engineering satellite “Kodama.” However, we plan to acquire initial image data from the Daichi by direct transmission without using the Kodama.

Therefore, today, JAXA set up a cause investigation team as part of the initial functional verification operations to study the situation comprehensively including both satellite and ground systems.

We will report more as soon as we find the cause of the problem.

All other parts of the satellite are stable, and the initial functional verification operations are being carried out as scheduled.

(*1) The direct transmission is scheduled to go not only to our earth observation center but also to other related organizations who have their own receiving facilities.

(Reference) Observation Data Flow between the Daichi and the Ground Station http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2006/01/20060130_daichi_e.html#at01