ALOS User Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can I purchase ALOS data from?
ALOS data distribution is based on where a user is located. If you are a resident of Asia (*), Oceania, Americas or Africa, you can purchase ALOS data from RESTEC. If you live outside of the above area please refer to the table below.
(*) For the purpose of ALOS data distribution framework, Russia
and
Stan countries are included in Asia.
Table. 1 ALOS Data Distribution Framework
| User location | User classification |
|
| Commercial | Non-commercial (*1) | |
| Asia (*2) | RESTEC | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) |
| Thailand (*3) | Geo-Informatics and Space. Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) | |
| Oceania | RESTEC | Geoscience Australia (GA) |
| Americas (*4) | RESTEC | Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) |
| Europe ,Africa | RESTEC(*5), SARCOM, EMMA | ESA |
(*) 1. Those who are approved by JAXA, GA, ASF or ESA as
non-commercial users. Definition of non-commercial user differs by area
2. For the purpose of distribution framework, Russia and Stan countries are included
in Asia.
3. GISTAD of Thailand has exclusive sales right of ALOS data in Thailand.
4. Exclusive of Canada where MDA has exclusive sales right.
5. Only in Africa.
6. JAXA, GA, ASF and ESA is called "Node Agencies" and responsible for overall
distribution of its area, they nominate the distributors for commercial users
in their responsible area.
7. For more detailed definition of each area , please refer to the map at the
following web site of rested;
URL: http://www.alos-restec.jp/pdf/data_node_e.pdf
2. What is the classification of ALOS data product?
ALOS data classification is defined by JAXA, owner of the intellectual property right of ALOS data. Under their definition, ALOS data product is classified into three categories shown in the table below. The classification is important, because if the product you developed from the standard product is defined as Value Added Product (VAP), you can sell the VAP without approval of JAXA and you do not have to pay any royalty to JAXA on the sale of your VAP.
Table 2. ALOS data classification
| Definition | Examples | |
| Standard Product | CEOS level 1data | |
| Derivative-work product | Processed product of standard product that retains the original pixel structure and can be converted back to the original data | GeoTIFF or NITF formatted data of standard product |
| Value Added Product (VAP) | Highly processed product of standard product that does not retain the original pixel structure and can not be converted back to the original data | Ortho- rectified product, Pan sharpen imagery, Digital Surface Model |
3. How can I search ALOS data for my area of interest?
You can do data search with RESTEC's internet data service system
named "CROSS,
URL: https://cross.restec.or.jp/cross/CfcLogin.do?locale=en".
4. How can I purchase ALOS data from RESTEC?
(1) You can purchase ALOS data by placing your purchase
order with "CROSS". If you live in the area where you have problem
with internet connection, please contact us by sending e-mail to 
(2) You can also purchase ALOS data from one of RESTEC's sales representatives
in your area. For RESTEC's ALOS data international sales network, please refer
to the list at http://www.alos-restec.jp/contact_e.html#sn.
5. How much does ALOS data cost?
One of the biggest advantages to use ALOS data is its affordable price. RESTEC believes ALOS data price is the lowest among the satellite data with similar qualities and specifications. If you live in Asia, basic image data defined as "Standard product" is available for JPY25,000 or JPY50,000 (approximately equivalent to US$ 208 or US$417 under the current exchange rate of JPY120/ US$) per scene depending on how you use the purchased data. If you live in Oceania/Africa or Americas, you can purchase ALOS standard data for JPY 50,000 or JPY 72,000 per scene respectively regardless of the intended use of the purchased data. For the Price of derivative work products and VAPs offered by RESTEC, please see FAQ #7 below.
Table 3. Prices of ALOS standard product
User location |
Price |
User definition |
|
| Asia | Category A User | JPY 25,000 | User other than Category B user. Public entities, academic organizations and research institutions are usually fall into this category |
| Category B User | JPY50,000 | User who intends to develop VAP from the purchased data and to sell them to the third parties. | |
| Oceania/Africa | JPY50,000 | Same price is applied to all users. For the purpose of user definition, all Americas & Oceania users are defined as Category B users. | |
| Americas | JPY72,000 | ||
6. What do I need to know when I purchase ALOS standard products?
ALOS standard products are offered in three processed levels.
You need to choose the processed level you want. For the details of processed
levels for standard product, please refer to the explanation at the following
web site of RESTEC;
URL: http://www.alos-restec.jp/buy_e.html#price
7. Except for standard products what other ALOS data products are available from RESTEC?
RESTEC offers various kinds of VAP and services. Please note
that VAPs are available for all users in the world regardless of the boundary
set for standard and derivative-work products (Please see FAQ #1 above).
For latest ALOS data products and services offered by RESTEC, please take a
look at the list in the following web site of RESTEC;
URL: http://www.alos-restec.jp/buy_e.html#price
8. How a purchased data is delivered and what about the time frame?
(1) ALOS data is mainly delivered by FTP for out of Japan users
(No FTP delivery is available for users in Japan). Please select "online" delivery
when you place purchase order with CROSS. You may also choose delivery by media,
CDROM or DVDROM depending on the data size.
(2) It is RESTEC's policy to make the purchased data available for FTP downloading
within 3 business days from the date of receipt of payment. Please note, however,
this policy applies under the normal business conditions. In February and March,
"the high season for satellite data sales in Japan", some delay in delivery
is expected.
9. How can I make the payment for purchased data?
You can make the payment either by credit card or wire transfer.
We accept only Japanese Yen for the payment.
(1) We strongly recommend you to pay by credit card so that you may receive
the purchased data very quickly. In addition, we do not charge JPY 3,000 handling
commission when you pay by credit card.
(2) In case of bank transfer, you are required to make the payment for the
cost of purchased data plus JPY 3,000 for handling commission. JPY3,000 handling
commission is charged per order. For example, when you purchase two scenes
of ALOS data at JPY25,000, total amount of your payment has to be JPY53,000
(25,000 x 2 + 3,000).
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the price of JPY72, 000 applied to users
in Americas includes the handling commission.
10. How can I request for an official proforma invoice?
You can request for RESTEC's official proforma invoice, by clicking
"Request for an official estimate sheet" button located upper right
corner of "Estimate & Order" screen just before you submit the
order with CROSS. If you forgot to press the button, please send the request
by e-mail
to
11. What are the data use restrictions?
Data use restrictions are defined by JAXA and reflected in ALOS
End User License Agreement (EULA) available in the following web site of RESTEC;
URL; http://www.alos-restec.jp/pdf/ALOS_End_User_license_Agreement_rev1a.pdf
The followings are the basic rules for data use under the EULA
a. JAXA retains ownership of all standard and derivative-work products and proper
credit must be given to JAXA in all publications and use of those data.
b. ALOS data products may not be copied, distributed, resold nor assigned by
the users.
c. The data may only be used for peaceful purposes.
12. How major satellite data processing software support ALOS data?
Please see the table below.
Table 4. ALOS data/products support from major software as of February 29, 2008
| CEOS | GeoTIFF | RPC file | Comments | |
| ERDAS IMAGINE | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Ver.9.2 |
| ENVI | Yes(*) |
Yes |
Yes(*) |
(*) Ver. 4.4 |
| PCI geomatica | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Ver. 10.1.2 |
| ER Mapper | Yes(*)/No |
Yes |
No |
(*) Only in Japan |
| GAMMA | Yes |
Yes |
- |
Support for PALSAR |
| SOCKET SET | No |
Yes |
Yes(*) |
(*) Ver. 5.4.1 |
13. How about the accuracy of ALOS data?
Radiometric and geolocational accuracy of ALOS data is explained
at the following web site of JAXA;
URL: http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/hatoyama/satellite/data_tekyo_setsumei/alos_hyouka_e.html
14. Is Multi user license available for ALOS data?
Yes, but at very limited basis such as the case of shared use by more than one department of a central government.
15. Other questions
If you have any other question, please send your inquiry to
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