Multi-Functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT)
Information updated on March 19, 2009, 8:59 pm GMT
General Data Description
The Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) series fulfills two functions: a meteorological function by the Japan Meteorological Agency and an aviation control function by for the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The MTSAT series succeeds the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) series as the next generation geostationary satellite series covering the East Asia and the Western Pacific regions.Data Stream Names
- mtsat - Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT)
netCDF File Header Description (Data Object Design File)
Measurement Description
The measurements in these data files are similar to
those in the GMS-5 data files. The visible channel data are averaged over a 5 by 5 km Grid cell.
Up to 2006-04-26 the data supplied to ARM included only the "GMS-5" look-a-like product with 4 channels and 8 bit digital resolution. As of 2006-04-26, all 5 channels at their full 10-bit digital resolution are included in the ARM archived data-streams. The extra IR channel (IR4) covers wavelengths 3.5 - 4.0 um.
The detailed spectral response functions for all 5 channels are given by the Japanase Meteorological Satellite Center.
Temporal Coverage
TWP Data begin 2005-07-14.
HFE data are only available for calendar year 2008, when AMF1 was deployed in China.
HFE data are only available for calendar year 2008, when AMF1 was deployed in China.
Area Covered
- TWP
- longitude: 80E to 200E
latitude: 40S to 30N - HFE (2008 only)
- longitude: 80E to 200E
latitude: 10N to 50N
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090508230919im_/http://www.xdc.arm.gov/xds/mtsat/area/mtsat_map.png)
Data Stream Inputs
twpmtsatX1.00
Notification Form Link
Related Links
MTSAT Technical Information from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Navigation Sample Programs
Japan Meteorological Agency Meteorological Satellite Center Web Page
PDF Document on Format of VISSR Archive Data
PDF Document on 14th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography from NOAA Web Site
Navigation Sample Programs
Japan Meteorological Agency Meteorological Satellite Center Web Page
PDF Document on Format of VISSR Archive Data
PDF Document on 14th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography from NOAA Web Site
Contacts
- ARM Mentor Richard Wagener
- ARM Software Developer Min Liang
Data Source
- Institution From : Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Outline of theMulti-Functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) series
Data collected by SeaSpace Corporation
Processing History
- 2005-07-14 to 2006-04-26
- GMS-5 look-a-like product with just the 4 GMS-5 equivalent channels
- Since 2006-04-26
- All 5 channels including IR4 (3.5 to 4 um)
FAQ
- Q: The MTSAT hdf files (twpmtsatX1.a1.*hdf) contain time information for each pixel in the 'time' field. What exactly does this time correspond to? Is it in seconds calculated from some reference time?
- A: The units 'stdtime' refers to seconds since midnight UTC. Remember to apply HDF scale_factor and add_offset first:
time=(filevartime-add_offset)*scale_factor
Data User Notes
In order to avoid damage to the visible channel detector by accidentally pointing straight at the sun, the scanner is reprogrammed to avoid the Earth view around midnight sub-spacecraft local-time during the eclipse season.
The visible channel may contain non-physical data during the 13:30Z, 14:30, and 15:30Z observations in this time period.
Start Date: 20060808
End Date: 20061106
The visible channel may contain non-physical data during the 13:30Z, 14:30, and 15:30Z observations in this time period.
Start Date: 20060808
End Date: 20061106
Quicklook Links
Acronyms
- JMA
- Japan Meteorological Agency
- MSC
- Japanese Meteorological Satellite Center
- MTSAT
- Multi-functional Transport SATellite
- GMS
- Geostationary Meteorological Satellite