# ALOS-2

> Japanese synthetic-aperture radar satellite launched in 2014

**Wikidata**: [Q16937207](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16937207)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALOS-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alos-2

## Summary  
ALOS-2 (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2), also known as Daichi-2, is a Japanese synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite launched in 2014. It is operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and designed for Earth observation, disaster monitoring, and environmental research. ALOS-2 succeeds the original ALOS satellite and carries advanced radar instrumentation for high-resolution imaging.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: May 24, 2014, at 03:05:14 UTC ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA (flight H-IIA-24) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1 ([source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Mass**: 2,120 kg ([source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/alos-2))  
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/alos-2.htm))  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit ([source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/alos-2))  
- **Power System**: Solar array generating 5,200 watts ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/alos-2.htm))  
- **Design Life**: 5 years ([source](https://www.jaxa.jp/projects/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat29.pdf))  
- **Predecessor**: ALOS (launched 2006)  
- **Successor**: ALOS-3 (destroyed in launch failure)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is ALOS-2 used for?  
A: ALOS-2 is primarily used for Earth observation, including disaster monitoring, environmental research, and land-use mapping, using its advanced synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) system.  

### Q: Who built ALOS-2?  
A: ALOS-2 was manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric and launched by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries using the H-IIA rocket ([source](https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/space/satellite/observation/alos2.html)).  

### Q: What happened to ALOS-3?  
A: ALOS-3, the intended successor to ALOS-2, was destroyed in a launch failure ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/alos-3.htm)).  

## Why It Matters  
ALOS-2 plays a critical role in global Earth observation, providing high-resolution radar imagery for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and scientific research. Its synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology allows it to capture images day or night and through cloud cover, making it invaluable for tracking natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Operated by JAXA, ALOS-2 continues Japan's legacy of advanced satellite technology, building on the success of its predecessor, ALOS. The satellite's data supports international efforts in climate change research, deforestation monitoring, and urban planning, demonstrating its broad societal and scientific impact.  

## Notable For  
- **Advanced SAR Instrumentation**: Equipped with Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR-2) for high-resolution imaging ([source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/alos_2)).  
- **Continuity Mission**: Direct successor to ALOS (2006), ensuring long-term Earth observation capabilities.  
- **Disaster Monitoring**: Critical for rapid response to natural disasters due to all-weather imaging capabilities.  

## Body  
### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 2,120 kg  
- **Power**: 5,200 W from solar arrays  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous  
- **Design Life**: 5 years  

### Launch and Deployment  
- **Launch Date**: May 24, 2014  
- **Launch Site**: Yoshinobu Launch Complex, Japan  
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA (flight H-IIA-24)  

### Instrumentation  
- **Primary Instrument**: Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR-2)  

### Operational History  
- **Predecessor**: ALOS (launched 2006)  
- **Successor**: ALOS-3 (failed launch)  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "ALOS-2",
  "alternateName": ["Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2", "Daichi-2"],
  "description": "Japanese synthetic-aperture radar satellite launched in 2014 for Earth observation.",
  "url": "https://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/ja/project/alos-2/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALOS-2"
  ],
  "operatingSystem": "Sun-synchronous orbit",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Mitsubishi Electric"
  },
  "launchDate": "2014-05-24",
  "operator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/alos-2.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/space/satellite/observation/alos2.html)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/alos_2)
5. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/alos-2)
6. [Source](https://www.jaxa.jp/projects/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat29.pdf)