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Global Precipitation Measurement

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Global Precipitation Measurement
Artist's concept of the GPM Core Observatory
Mission typeEnvironmental research
OperatorJAXA/NASA
COSPAR ID2014-009CEdit this at Wikidata
SATCATno.39574
Mission durationPlanned: 3 years
Elapsed: 10 years, 4 months, 18 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerNASAGSFC/Ball Aerospace/JAXA/NICT/NEC Toshiba Space Systems
Launch mass3,850 kilograms (8,490 lb)
Power1.95 kW
Start of mission
Launch dateFebruary 27, 2014, 18:37(2014-02-27UTC18:37)UTC
RocketH-IIA202 F-23
Launch siteTanegashimaYoshinobu 1
ContractorMitsubishi
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis6,779 kilometres (4,212 mi)
Perigee altitude400.9 kilometres (249.1 mi)
Apogee altitude415.3 kilometres (258.1 mi)
Inclination65°
Period92.60 minutes
Epoch26 March 2017

Global Precipitation Measurement(GPM) is a joint mission betweenJAXAandNASAas well as other international space agencies to make frequent (every 2–3 hours) observations of Earth'sprecipitation.It is part of NASA's Earth Systematic Missions program and works with asatellite constellationto provide full global coverage. The project provides global precipitation maps to assist researchers in improving the forecasting of extreme events, studying global climate, and adding to current capabilities for using such satellite data to benefit society.[1]GPM builds on the notable successes of theTropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM), which was also a joint NASA-JAXA activity.

The project is managed by NASA'sGoddard Space Flight Center,and consists of a GPM Core Observatory satellite assisted by a constellation of spacecraft from other agencies and missions.[2]The Core Observatory satellite measures the two and three dimensional structure of Earth's precipitation patterns and provides a new calibration standard for the rest of the satellite constellation. The GPM Core Observatory was assembled and tested at Goddard Space Flight Center, and launched fromTanegashima Space Center,Japan, on aMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesH-IIArocket. The launch occurred on February 28, 2014, at 3:37 am JST on the first attempt.[3]Agencies in the United States, Japan, India and France (together withEumetsat) operate the remaining satellites in the constellation for agency-specific goals, but also cooperatively provide data for GPM.[2]

Science objectives[edit]

GPM has five broad science objectives:[4]

  • advance precipitation measurement from space
  • improve knowledge of precipitation systems, water-cycle variability and freshwater availability
  • improve climate modeling and prediction
  • improve weather forecasting and climate reanalysis
  • improve hydrological modeling and prediction

Main instruments[edit]

Visualization of GPM collecting data on March 17th, 2014 over the last major snow storm of winter 2013–2014 to hit the U.S. east coast.
The GPM Core Observatory in the electromagnetic testing chamber at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in March 2013. The silver disc and drum (center) is the GPM Microwave Imager, and the large block on the base is the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar.

Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR)[edit]

The DPR is a spaceborne radar, providing three-dimensional maps of storm structure across its swath, including the intensity of rainfall and snowfall at the surface. The DPR has two frequencies, allowing researchers to estimate the sizes of precipitation particles and detect a wider range of precipitation rates. The Ku-band radar, similar to the PR on TRMM, covers a 245 km (152 mile) swath. Nested inside that, the Ka-band radar covers a 120 km (74.5 mile) swath.[5]Data from the DPR is sent to the ground via a single-access link withTDRSSrelay satellites.[6]

GPM Microwave Imager (GMI)[edit]

The GMI is a passive sensor that observes the microwave energy emitted by the Earth and atmosphere at 13 different frequency/polarization channels. These data allow quantitative maps of precipitation across a swath that is 885 km (550 miles) wide. This instrument continues the legacy of TRMM microwave observations, while adding four additional channels, better resolution, and more reliable calibration.[5]Data from the GMI is continuously sent to the ground via a multiple-access link with TDRSS relay satellites.[6]

Precipitation data sets[edit]

GPM produces and distributes a wide variety of precipitation data products. Processing takes place at the Precipitation Processing System (PPS) at NASAGoddard Space Flight Center,as well as at the JAXA facility in Japan. Data is provided at multiple "levels" of processing, from raw satellite measurements to best-estimate global precipitation maps using combinations of all the constellation observations and other meteorological data. All data from the mission is made freely available to the public on NASA websites.[7]Precipitation data is made available in a variety of formats, spatial and temporal resolutions, and processing levels which are accessible on the Precipitation Measurement Missions "Data Access" webpage.[8]Several data visualization and analysis tools have been made available to provide easy access for the science and applications communities, which include the in-browser Earth science data analysis tool Giovanni,[9]a web API,[10]and a 3D near-realtime global precipitation viewer.[11]

Full-Scale Harness Mockup Model of the Core GPM Spacecraft being used for harness assembly inside the Acoustic Chamber atGSFC.

Social media and outreach[edit]

This animation shows GPM collecting some of its first data on March 10th over a Pacific storm east of Japan.

In addition to maintaining social media accounts[12][13][14]and the GPM Road to Launch Blog,JAXAandNASAdeveloped several outreach activities specific to this mission prior to launch that the public could participate in. After launch a series of featured articles[15]and videos[16]were produced to highlight various scientific goals and discoveries of the mission, and an "Extreme Weather" blog is maintained to provide timely updates about the latest extreme precipitation events and natural disasters occurring around the world. A Precipitation Education website[17]is also maintained to provide teachers and students with lesson plans, animations, and other resources to teach about thewater cycle,Earth science, and the GPM mission.

In popular culture[edit]

The main character Mohan Bharghav (Shahrukh Khan) in 2004 Indian filmSwades: We, the Peopleis a Project Manager in NASA's GPM project. The movie starts with a press conference pertaining to NASA's GPM, and its upcoming launch. Bharghav discuss the importance of GPM and its positive impact on Earth.[31]In the movie the GPM satellite is launched by theSpace Shuttle.[32]

A short anime film of 6 minutes,Dual frequency Precipitation Radar Special Movie,was produced by JAXA and White Fox in 2013.[33]

References[edit]

  1. ^"The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission".NASA. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-02-25.Retrieved2014-02-19.
  2. ^ab"Constellation Partners".NASA.Retrieved2014-02-19.
  3. ^"GPM Launch Information".NASA. 22 January 2014.Retrieved2014-02-19.
  4. ^"Science Objectives."NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.Retrieved: 8 March 2018.
  5. ^ab"GPM Spacecraft and Instruments".NASA.Retrieved2014-02-19.
  6. ^ab"Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Core Observatory".NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.Retrieved: 6 March 2018.
  7. ^"Explanation of Data Products".NASA.Retrieved2014-02-19.
  8. ^"Data Access | Precipitation Measurement Missions".pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  9. ^"Giovanni".giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  10. ^"Precipitation and Applications Viewer | Precipitation Measurement Missions".pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  11. ^"Global Precipitation Viewer | Precipitation Measurement Missions".pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  12. ^"GPM & TRMM Missions (NASA_Rain) on Twitter".Twitter.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  13. ^"Precipitation Measurement Missions".Facebook. 2014-02-22.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  14. ^"NASA Goddard".YouTube.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  15. ^"Featured Articles Archive | Precipitation Measurement Missions".pmm.nasa.gov.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-10-16.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  16. ^"Gallery: Global Precipitation Measurement".svs.gsfc.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  17. ^"Precipitation Education".pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2017-01-10.
  18. ^"A Blooming Partnership: Behind the Scenes of JAXA & NASA Missions | NASA".Nasa.gov. 2013-04-12. Archived fromthe originalon 2017-05-22.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  19. ^"@NASASocial/JAXA/NASA Cherry Blossoms on Twitter".Twitter. 2013-04-12.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  20. ^"NASA, JAXA Host 'NASA Social' – a set on Flickr".Flickr. 12 April 2013.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  21. ^"Cherry Blossoms and Partnerships in Space discussed at NASA Social".YouTube. 2013-04-12.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  22. ^"Social Media Accreditation Opens for GPM Media Day | NASA".Nasa.gov. 2013-09-11.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  23. ^"GPM NASA Social at Goddard – a set on Flickr".Flickr. 15 November 2013.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  24. ^"@NASASocial/GPM Media Day on Twitter".Twitter.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  25. ^"Extreme Weather Photo Contest Winners | Precipitation Measurement Missions".Pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  26. ^"GPM" Let it Snow "Photo Contest Winners | Precipitation Measurement Missions".Pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  27. ^"GPM" Unique Perspectives "Contest | Precipitation Measurement Missions".Pmm.nasa.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-10-23.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  28. ^"GPM" Unique Perspectives "Winners".NASA.Retrieved13 February2014.
  29. ^GPM Anime Challenge."| Precipitation Education".Pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  30. ^"Winners of the GPM Anime Challenge | Precipitation Education".Pmm.nasa.gov.Retrieved2014-02-26.
  31. ^10 Best Bollywood Movies of the DecadeRediff retrieved March 01 2014
  32. ^Gowarikar shoots Swades at Nasa8 June 2004, Times of India
  33. ^DPR Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar Special Movie / DPRスペシャルムービー,Sky-Animes

External links[edit]

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