EUMETSAT continuously strives to make its data available to users on a global basis and has teamed up with international partners to access their data to distribute them via its EUMETCast dissemination system. The aim is to make available data accessible to users in need and minimise duplication of effort at best value.

Following discussions between EUMETSAT and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) during the 37th meeting of the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites in Jeju Island, South Korea, on 26-30 October related to data exchange, EUMETSAT implemented Meteosat-7 data reception to JMA via the Regional Meteorological Data Communication Network (RMDCN). This was undertaken within the scope of the existing cooperation agreement between EUMETSAT and JMA and more specifically because Meteosat-7 direct dissemination is not available in Japan due to the westerly position of the spacecraft.

Regional Meteorological Data
Communication Network (RMDCN)

RMDCN aims to form the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Information System (WIS) Core Network extending to major centres in the Asia-Pacific Region. This data exchange can also be seen in the context of the emerging WIS where EUMETSAT fulfils its role as a Data Collection and Production Centre (DCPC) that disseminates data to the major Global Information System Centre (GISC) JMA over the WIS Core Network.

Following direct contact between technical experts and using RMDCN, the implementation was achieved within a very short time period and declared operational on 29 March 2010.

The related technical documents explaining the operational interaction between EUMETSAT and JMA in the context of this data exchange - the Operations Control Interface Document - was prepared, exchanged and countersigned by the responsible staff in both organisations.

JMA and EUMETSAT signed a cooperation agreement in 2007. JMA’s future geostationary global environment observation satellites, Himawari-8 and -9, are planned for launch in 2014 and 2016, respectively, with the objective of improving weather forecasting accuracy for local very heavy rain. JMA is interested in data exchange related to EUMETSAT’s current Meteosat Second Generation and future Meteosat Third Generation and the new missions.

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