Japan Preps Launch for Satellite with Exelis Weather Imager; Eric Webster Comments

The Japan Meteorological Agency has set a Tuesday launch for the Himawari-8 weather satellite outfitted with an Exelis ABI-class imager.

Exelis said Monday that it modified the advanced baseline imager technology it developed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create the advanced Himawari imager.

The AHI meteorological imaging instrument is designed to provide JMA with clear storm watch images and improved operational weather forecasting in the region, it added.

“We are all excited to get the ABI technology launched into space,” said Eric Webster, vice president for weather systems at Exelis.

“It will help Japan with improved forecasting and NOAA with ABI-class data for testing and use before GOES-R launches in 2016.”

The World Meteorological Organization uses data from the Himawari satellite constellation for the World Weather Watch initiative.