ALOS Data Users Handbook

ALOS Data Users HandbookSection 8 Data Distribution Services8.1 Basic Policy for ALOS Data ServicesObservation data from ALOS mission will be provided globally using the Data Relay SatelliteCommunication system and the volume of observation data to be obtained is enormous. JAXA will archivethose data in a usable manner, and provide them to users rapidly upon request. In more concrete terms,• To provide services that are most appropriate to the characteristics and the purposes of usinghigh-resolution optical sensors (PRISM and AVNIR-2) and a radar sensor (PALSAR).• To provide user-friendly services corresponding to different types of user.• To provide global services for users throughout the world, considering that the areas covered byobservation are worldwide.• To provide flexible services corresponding to the progress of research and development on products.• To provide services mutually usable with the data from existing land observation satellites like JERS-1.8.2 Definition of Data UsersThe following table shows categories of ALOS data users.Table 8.2-1 Categories of ALOS Data UsersUser CategoriesInstitutionalUsersFreeNonfree(marginalcost)Commercial UsersDefinitionUsers who receive limited volume data from JAXA at free based on theagreement with JAXA.Level 0: ERSDAC, Geographical Survey Institute, JAXA internal, ALOSdata node organizationsLevel 1: Geographical Survey Institute, Ministry of the Environment,Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan Coast Guard, PI,and JAXA internalUsers who receive data from JAXA at marginal cost for data reproductionbased on the agreement with JAXA.Level 0: Geographical Survey Institute, ALOS data node organizationsLevel 1: Geographical Survey InstituteUsers who receive level 1 and higher level data products from datadistributors around the world.Data are not directly distributed from JAXA.