Japan Finds Its Adios Adeos Twice Over

Japan Finds Its Adios Adeos Twice Over As EO Bird Goes Silent

ADEOS 2 is deployed into orbit last December

Tokyo - Oct 27, 2003
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) failed to receive earth observation data from its Advanced Earth Observing Satellite II, Midori-II, at its Earth Observation Center in Saitama Prefecture at 7:28 a.m. on October 25, 2003 (Japan Standard Time, JST).

At 8:49 a.m. (JST), JAXA checked the operational status of Midori-II, and found it was switched to a light load mode (in which all observation equipment is automatically turned off to minimize power consumption) due to an unknown anomaly.

Around 8:55 a.m. (JST), communications between the satellite and ground stations became unstable, and telemetry data was not received.

JAXA's Katsuura Tracking and Communication Station also failed to receive telemetry data twice (9:23 and 11:05 a.m. JST.)

JAXA is currently analyzing earlier acquired telemetry data. The analysis of power generation data by the solar array paddle revealed that generated power has decreased from 6kW to 1kW.

We are doing our utmost to have Midori-II return to normal operation mode by continuing to analyze telemetry data and by working to understand the current condition of the satellite at our domestic and overseas tracking stations.

JAXA formed the "Midori-II anomaly investigation team," led by the president of JAXA, to lead the investigation.

EARTH OBSERVATION

Under The Protective Gaze Of Remote Sensing Satellites

Brussels (EU) Oct 24, 2003
Earthquakes, floods, forest fires, and other natural disasters pose a massive threat to people's lives and property, as well as to our cultural heritage. Spinning high above the Earth, satellites are invaluable tools in the battle to reduce the impact of Mother Nature's wrath, helping in scientific efforts to construct predictive models and to better understand the behaviour of natural forces.