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.

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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.

Area Covered

TWP
longitude: 80E to 200E latitude: 40S to 30N: HFE (2008 only)
longitude: 80E to 200E latitude: 10N to 50N

Data Stream Inputs

twpmtsatX1.00

Notification Form Link

Notification Form

Contacts

ARM Mentor

Richard Wagener

ARM Software Developer

Min Liang

Data Source

Institution

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

Quicklook Links

TWP MTSAT Composite
HFE MTSAT Composite (2008 only)

Acronyms

JMA: Japan Meteorological Agency
MSC: Japanese Meteorological Satellite Center
MTSAT: Multi-functional Transport SATellite
GMS: Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

Order Data

Documentation

Questions/Comments?