BackForward Satellite Programme: Himawari 1st generation (Geostationary Meteorological Satellite) 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Himawari means "Sunflower".  Three generations: the 1st named GMS (Geostationary Meteorological Satellite), the 2nd MTSAT (Multifunction Transport Satellite), the 3rd simply Himawari.
  • The GMS series includes 5 geostationary satellites for operational meteorology.
  • Japanese programme: JMA responsible of the overall programme and of running the operationa, JAXA responsible of the development of the space segment.
  • The satellites are spin-stabilised.
  • The design lifetime is 5 years.
  • The nominal position is 140°E.
  • The replacement policy is based on launching satellites at roughly 5-year intervals.
  • See detailed description at https://directory.eoportal.org/missions/gms.
Data circulation
  • Full data in real time to the CDAS (Command and Data Acquisition Station).
  • Processing and dissemination in near-real time by the JMA Meteorological Data Center (MSC).
Agencies JMA , JAXA
Programme lifetime 1977 - 2003
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned