Implementation of systematic data observation strategies for ALOS PALSAR, PRISM and AVNIR-2

The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) is scheduled for launch by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2005, and it carries three remote sensing instruments: an L-band polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), an along-track 2.5 metre panchromatic resolution stereo mapper (PRISM) and a 10-metre multi-spectral scanner (AVNIR-2). The successor of the JERS-1 satellite (1992-1998), ALOS not only provides enhanced sensor performance, but also feature an entirely new acquisition concept. Abandoning traditional, local-focused instrument operations, JAXA is implementing a comprehensive acquisition strategy, in which geographical region, sensor mode, acquisition timing and repetition frequency, are fixed in advance, to achieve spatially and temporally consistent, global coverage on a repetitive basis, at the same time as reducing programming and user conflicts