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Mitsubishi Electric Develops ALOS-2 Satellite System

For disaster monitoring, environmental protection, resource exploration and forest monitoring

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TOKYO, May 23, 2014 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has completed its development of the ALOS-2:DAICHI-2 advanced land-observation satellite based on a contract awarded to the company by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009. Mitsubishi Electric will provide the spacecraft, sensor and ground systems, including data processing, and will confirm operation after the ALOS-2 satellite system is launched from Tanegashima Space Center on May 24.

ALOS-2, a follow-on mission of its predecessor ALOS satellite, is equipped with the world's most advanced L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for improved resolution and wider observation range than ALOS. It is expected to contribute significantly to earth observations in terms of disaster monitoring, environmental protection, resource exploration and forest monitoring.

Mitsubishi Electric, a leading manufacturer contributing to space research and development in Japan, has participated in more than 450 domestic and international satellite projects as either the prime contractor or a major subcontractor. The company has developed and delivered numerous earth-observation satellite systems and observation sensors to JAXA and other space-related governmental institutions and agencies. Recently, Mitsubishi Electric was selected as the contractor to supply JAXA with the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite-2 (GOSAT-2) satellite system, which the company is now developing.

Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to contribute to Japanese earth-observation satellite systems as a leading manufacturer in fields ranging from security to the environment.