Update #3 (Correction): This provides a correction to the prior notification. The Global precipitation type/rate (PT/R) product is not part of the OCEAN3 Ocean suite and will transition to AMSR3 seamlessly without any gap.


Update #2:This serves as the 30 day reminder for the Decommissioning of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR2) Products and Transition to AMSR3 Products on September 2, 2026. Although the majority of transitions will wrap up on September 2, 2026 NOAA AMSR3 Ocean products may undergo a short service outage in September 2026 for final verification and rollout. Further details will be shared in future ESPC notifications. The following products will be temporarily unavailable during September 2026:


Blended products such as SMOPS, Blended Hydro will lose AMSR2 input in September 2026, until AMSR3 capability is added at a later date.


The following AMSR3 products will be available from PDA on July 29, 2026


AMSR2 direct reception at direct readout sites will continue beyond September 2026 with no defined termination date at this point.


Update #1: This is the 2 month reminder for the Decommissioning of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR2) Products and Transition to AMSR3 Products on August 31, 2026


Topic: Decommissioning of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR2) Products and Transition to AMSR3 Products


Date/Time Issued: July 28, 2026 1045 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 AutoSnow 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:




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 


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