TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Himawari Operation Enterprise Corporation (Himawari Operation Enterprise) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6503) announced today the completion of the ground operations system for the Himawari-8 and Himawari-9 weather data transmission satellites. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) plans to launch Himawari-8 and -9 in Summer 2014 and 2016, respectively, to enhance public safety and security through relaying sophisticated weather data contributing to disaster prevention and monitoring global environment.

The ground operations system designed, built and installed by Mitsubishi Electric consists of antennas with a 9-meter diameter and radio frequency and satellite control equipment installed at the main unit in Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture, and the sub unit in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. Through their involvement in weather satellite operations, the two companies will continue to contribute to disaster prevention and monitoring global environment.

System features

1) Double redundant configuration for stable and accurate operations

A two-unit operation scheme ensures stable and consistent observation data transmission to JMA. Each unit features a redundant configuration including antennas with a 9-meter diameter.

2) Timely retrieval of observation data

Thanks to the system’s alignment to the geographical coverage area of Himawari-8 and -9, observation data can be retrieved once every 2.5 minutes (up to 576 times per day), enabling the provision of up-to-the-minute information on typhoons, rainstorms and other climatic anomalies by geographic sector. Previously, data retrieval was limited to once per day.

3) Cutting back on labor

The introduction of an integrated system simultaneously monitoring the two satellites and both ground units enables manpower to be reduced over a 15-year period.

Himawari Operation Enterprise and Mitsubishi Electric will soon begin comprehensive system tests and personnel training for satellite operations for Himawari-8 under the supervision of JMA.

Mitsubishi Electric, which is contracted by JMA to build and deliver Himawari-8 and -9, received the manufacturing order for antennas with a 9-meter diameter, radio frequency equipment and satellite control equipment from Himawari Operation Enterprise in September 2010.

About Himawari-8 and -9

Himawari -8 and -9 will relay data images at double the resolution of existing weather satellites, and reduce observation times to 10 minutes from the current 30 minutes. The satellites will also more than triple the types of observation data transmitted to 16 from the current five, and are able to focus observation on a small geographic area such as territorial Japan at a high frequency. For more information, please refer to the website below.http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/space/satellite/observation/himawari_8_9.html

About Himawari Operation Enterprise

Himawari Operation Enterprise was established in August 2010 as Special Purpose Company. This consortium is composed of Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited (representative company, management of office), NS Solutions Corporation (development of ground facilities, systems and maintenance work), and Space Engineering Development Co., Ltd. (service delivery), and has contracted this project with JMA in 2010 for about 29.2 billion JPY, for 20 years until the end of March 2030 from September 2010 (4 year and 7 month development period, 15 year maintenance and service delivery period).

About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

With over 90 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. Embracing the spirit of its corporate statement, Changes for the Better, and its environmental statement, Eco Changes, Mitsubishi Electric endeavors to be a global, leading green company, enriching society with technology. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 3,567.1 billion yen (US$ 37.9 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. For more information visit http://www.MitsubishiElectric.com*At an exchange rate of 94 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2013