Major Mission of ALOS includes cartography, regional observation, disaster monitoring and resource surveying. As examples of an exploration study, JAXA sets 12 categories as "major categories of research". They are, "Land Use and Land Cover Research", "Disaster Prevention and Disaster Monitoring", "Land and Mineral Resources", "Biological Resources", "Oceanography", "Agriculture" and so forth, and to promote the study that encourage to use Satellite data.
12 Categories of studies
Major Mission Of ALOS
Cartography
ALOS can manage mapping as well as updating of maps of Japan and around other countries mainly in the Asia-Pacific region. Using ALOS PRISM enables to obtain many kinds of data, which range from artificial components such as roads and constructions, target area of rivers and to water regions, and to topographical DEM data. With ALOS data, more detailed mapping is achieved as PRISM can also present information on vegetation and soil by adding optical sensor and synthetic aperture radar to DEM data.
Regional Observation
ALOS practices essential regional observation to maintain "Sustainable Development" on a worldwide scale. Providing information on environment and resources by extracting data taken by the Satellite, ALOS supports preservation and maintenance of environment and resources, and encourages sustainable development and utilization on a regional level.
Disaster Monitoring
ALOS can conduct disaster monitoring over Japan and around the world. Collaborating with existing Satellites and disaster monitoring systems, ALOS collects and provides data regarding major disaster such as volcano eruption, flood, and earthquake.
Resource surveying
ALOS can survey natural resources through its PALSAR.
Others
ALOS contributes to technology development that is needed for future earth observation.
