ALOS-3 is the follow-on JAXA optical satellite mission of ALOS/Daichi (launch Jan. 24, 2006), to complement the SAR services of the ALOS-2 mission (launch planned for 2013). ALOS-3 carries an optical sensor complement to succeed PRISM (Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping) and AVNIR-2 (Advanced Visible and Near-Infrared Radiometer-2) aboard ALOS/ The goal of the ALOS-3 mission is to provide operational support services in the following areas:
1) Disaster monitoring of stricken regions is one of the most important requirements of the post-ALOS program.
2) Continuous updating of data archives related to national geographical information, including topographic maps, land use, and vegetation
3) Survey of crops and coastal fishing conditions
4) Environmental monitoring, including illegal dumping of industrial wastes.