BackPrint

News Release Archives

Note that the releases are accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No.2860

Mitsubishi Electric Ready to Deliver Himawari-8 to Tanegashima

Observation sensors enable more precise climate forecasting, larger-scale natural-disaster prevention

TOKYO, August 22, 2014 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has completed work on the Himawari-8 satellite, the next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite based on a contract awarded by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Himawari-8 will be delivered soon to Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, from where it is scheduled to be launched into orbit on October 7.

Himawari-8, the successor to the Multi-functional Transport Satellite-2 (MTSAT-2) satellite, is equipped with a new payload for a highly upgraded meteorological observation mission. Unlike MTSAT-2, color images will be generated and spatial resolution will be twice as detailed. Observational data collected with Himawari-8 will enhance climate forecasting, weather-prediction numerical accuracy and environmental monitoring of weather such as typhoons, torrential rain and climate changes. Data will be provided to more than 30 countries in the Asia and Pacific region to support advanced meteorological services, particularly improved natural-disaster prevention and transportation safety.

Himawari-8 is the eighth satellite to incorporate Mitsubishi Electric's original DS2000 satellite platform. Its sister, Himawari-9, is currently being built at the company's Kamakura Works. When Himawari-9 is launched in 2016, it will mark over 20 years of Mitsubishi Electric's involvement with geostationary meteorological satellites, beginning with MTSAT-2. By 2017, Mitsubishi Electric expects to have produced 15 DS2000 satellites. To date, all DS2000 satellites launched have operated successfully. Building on this superb track record, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to serve the global commercial satellite market with its ever-increasing family of reliable DS2000 satellites.

Rendering of Himawari-8 in Orbit

Rendering of Himawari-8 in Orbit

Himawari-8 at Kamakura Works

Himawari-8
at Kamakura Works

Himawari-8 Overview
Length Approx. 8m
Satellite Platform DS2000
Orbital Maneuver Life 15+ years
Meteorological Mission 8+ years
Mass Approx. 3.5 tons (at launch)
Himawari-8 MTSAT-2
Spatial Resolution VIS 0.5-1km
NIR 1-2km
IR 2km
VIS 1km
NIR -  
IR 4km
Observation Interval Full Disk 10 minutes 30 minutes
Japan 2.5 minutes -
Land-mark 2.5 minutes -
Spectral Bands VIS 3 bands 1 bands
NIR 3 bands -
IR 10 bands 4 bands

Inquiry