Earth Observation Research and application Center

Tasuku Tanaka
Director
Earth Observation Research Center, Japan Space Exploration Agency

Established April 1, 1995, the Earth Observation Research Center (EORC) is JAXA's newest field center.

Earth observation from Space has a rather long history. The first Earth observing satellite, TIROS of the US, was launched only 3 years after Sputnik. Since then, many Earth observing satellites have been launched, and we have acquired many new scientific findings. We are now ready to document global change to help us understand, predict, and monitor the Earth environment system. Space agencies worldwide are cooperating in Mission to Planet Earth. ADEOS is part of this international program conducted by JAXA.

The primary role of EORC is to bridge between the scientific and user communities and JAXA. EORC is also in charge of the Japanese program for International Cooperation on Global Research.

The organization and the budget are summarized belows

JAXA Personnel27
Invited Scientists6
Contractors Personnel34
Research Fellow2
Total67

Budgets for FY '95 : 3.0 Billion Yen

The research activities in EORC are categorized into three groups: Satellite Science (SS), Earth Science (ES), and Applications Research (AR). Science Programs (SPs) are defined in each group. The Program Scientist, who is designated by JAXA, leads and supervises the SPs. One SP consists of many themes. One theme is the fundamental or minimum unit to do research activities effectively and smoothly. The Principal Investigator (PI) investigates his or her theme. An individual research theme is proposed by a scientist or a group of scientists, inside or outside JAXA. The proposal is then assessed by an EORC committee, and, if judged appropriate, it is adopted as a theme. After the proposal is adopted as a theme, JAXA makes an agreement with the organization for which the PI is working.

SS program research activities primarily concern JAXA's Earth-observing satellites and instruments. Calibration and validation, field campaigns, algorithm development, thematic data set production, and other research work to pursue new findings are some of the themes of SS programs. The Program Coordinator (PC) and Program Secretary (PSE) help the PS and PI promote productive and effective research activities. The Satellite Science Programs are summarized in Table 1.

ES programs encompass Earth System Science, which requires long-term efforts and a variety of data from JAXA instruments and other data sources. At present, we are defining three ES programs: the Global Energy and Water Cycle Program led by Prof. Sumi, the Ocean and its Impact on Climate Program led by ( ), and the Atmospheric Chemistry Program led by Prof. Ogawa. We will announce the details of ES programs very soon.

AP Programs encompass new and sophisticated applications of space remote sensing to socio-economic issues: cartography, digital elevation mapping, land-use planning and geographical information systems (GIS). We have not yet defined AP programs. but will announce them in the near future.

Go to DEVELOPMENT STATUS OF ADEOS DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM (AS OF OCTOBER 18, 1995)

Back to ADEOS Newsletter No. 1 Contents

Earth Observation Research Center Earth Observation Research Center
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