Dear Madam/Sir,

<<This mail is being sent with your name in BCC. This is to keep the confidentiality of each user. All the names listed above are fro our organization ERSDAC.>>

As you know, ASTER is functioning very well. And we appreciate your active use of ASTER data. In this February, ERSDAC stopped accepting new ARO ( Announcement of Opportunity). But, instead, ERSDAC has just started to accept General Programming Request ( Data Acquisition Request from general users ). Prior to open this mechanism to the public, ERSDAC conducted the a test operation from June through September of this year. Based on the experience during this test period, we have been preparing the normal operation of the GPR. And, now, we are ready to formally start the operation of GPR from General users. Please visit following site for the detail of the Programming Request: http://www.gds.aster.ersdac.or.jp/gds_www2002/service_j/gpr_j/set_gpr_j.html Please note that we will not charge to the users until the data have been successfully acquired. And the users will have an obligation to buy 3 kinds of ASTER data (L1A, L1B,L3A) for day time observation and L1A,L1B,L2B3 for night time observation. when those scenes are considered good by the cloud evaluation S/W*, based on the predetermined criteria. (* If the result of the cloud evaluation by this S/W has a significant error, there will be a possibility for reconsideration.)

NB 1 : By METI's policy, only the charging to the product is acceptable. The reason why we use the above mentioned procedure is based on the METI's data policy.So, We would appreciate your understanding.

NB 2 : There is a very small probability that the total cost becomes large because of the possibility that good data be acquired in fragmented area.Forb the detail, please consult the explanation of the obligation.

NB 3 : If you submit order, fax (81-3-3533-9390)and email (gpr_office@asterops.ersdac.or.jp) in the attachment will be available.

NB. 4 : For your further questions, please don't hesitate to contact gpr_office@asterops.ersdac.or.jp.

Sincerely,

H. Watanabe