Topic: Decommissioning of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR2) Products and Transition to AMSR3 Products
Date/Time Issued: June 1, 2026 1400 UTC
Product(s) or Data Impacted: All AMSR2 and AMSR3 data products (see list below in details)
Date/Time of Initial Impact: August 31, 2026 TBD UTC
Date/Time of expected end Time: N/A
Duration: Permanent - Decommissioning
Details/Specifics of Change:
On June 28, 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW) featuring the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR3) instrument. A comprehensive transition from AMSR2 to AMSR3 is scheduled for July and August 2026, during which data from both instruments will be made available. Further specifics regarding the AMSR3 product migration will be communicated in a subsequent ESPC notification.
During the July to August 2026 period, AMSR2 global data will be received via all passes at the Svalbard ground station to provide standard and near-real-time products. Effective September 2026, the provision of AMSR2 standard near-real-time data will be terminated.
To ensure continuity for microwave imager products and minimize user impact, NESDIS teams are currently integrating AMSR3 algorithms into the NESDIS Common Cloud Framework (NCCF). This transition encompasses all current operational AMSR2 products distributed via Production Distribution and Access (PDA) and NCCF, including L1 BUFR, precipitation, ocean, snow, soil, and sea ice products. AMSR3 products are slated to become operational between July and August 2026 to coincide with JAXA's transition schedule. Blended products excluding Auto Snow with AMSR2 inputs, including SMOPS, Blended Hydro, ADT and eTRaP, will lose AMSR2 coverage until AMSR3 capability is in place at a later time (TBD). Coordinated efforts are vital for the successful deployment of NESDIS AMSR3 algorithms given the limited timeframe before AMSR2 data is discontinued by JAXA.
PDA subscriptions will need to be updated to be able to receive AMSR3 products due to product shortname changes.
Additional Information: Current AMSR-2 products distributed operationally via NESDIS PDA and NCCF vs. New AMSR3 product shortnames:
- AMSR2_ASD → Discontinued, please use AMSR-MISSIONDATA-RDR for L0 in HDF5
- AMSR2_GHRSST → AMSR_GHRSST
- AMSR2_L1B → AMSR_L1B
- AMSR2_L1R → AMSR_L1R
- AMSR2_MBT → AMSR_MBT
- AMSR2_MBT_AWIPS →ANSR_MBT_AWIPS
- AMSR2_MBT_89A_BUFR → AMSR_MBT_89A_BUFR
- AMSR2_MBT_89B_BUFR → AMSR_MBT_89B_BUFR
- AMSR2_MBT_GSI_BUFR → AMSR_MBT_GSI_BUFR
- AMSR2_MBT_LR_BUFR → AMSR_MBT_LR_BUFR
- AMSR2_OCEAN → AMSR_OCEAN
- AMSR2_OCEAN_AWIPS → AMSR_OCEAN_AWIPS
- AMSR2_PRECIP → AMSR_PRECIP
- AMSR2_SEAICE_NH → AMSR_SEAICE_NH
- AMSR2_SEAICE_SH → AMSR_SEAICE_SH
- AMSR2_SNOW → AMSR_SNOW
- AMSR2_SOIL → AMSR_SOIL
- AMSR2_SST_BUFR → AMSR_SST_BUFR
Web Site(s) for applicable information:https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/products/suites/gaasp/about_amsr2.html
Contact Information for Further Information: Please email User Services at spsd.userservices@noaa.gov