ALOS-4

ALOS-4 (Daichi 4) is JAXA's successor to ALOS-2 (launched 2014), carrying the PALSAR-3 phased-array L-band synthetic aperture radar. PALSAR-3 achieves 3-metre resolution over a 200-kilometre swath - four times wider than ALOS-2 - enabling comprehensive observation of Japan 20 times a year rather than four, and supporting disaster response, forest monitoring, and sea-ice tracking regardless of weather or lighting conditions.

First operational flight of the H3 rocket, following the VEP-4 demonstration mission in February 2024.