Global Precipitation Measurement
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Artist's concept of the GPM Core Observatory
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| Mission type | Environmental research |
|---|---|
| Operator | JAXA / NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 2014-009C |
| SATCAT no. | 39574 |
| Mission duration | Planned: 3 years Elapsed: 3 years, 1 month, 28 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | NASA GSFC / Ball Aerospace / JAXA / NICT / NEC Toshiba Space Systems |
| Launch mass | 3,850 kilograms (8,490 lb) |
| Power | 1.95 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | February 27, 2014, 18:37 UTC |
| Rocket | H-IIA 202 F-23 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Yoshinobu 1 |
| Contractor | Mitsubishi |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Semi-major axis | 6,779 kilometres (4,212 mi) |
| Perigee | 400.9 kilometres (249.1 mi) |
| Apogee | 415.3 kilometres (258.1 mi) |
| Inclination | 65° |
| Period | 92.60 minutes |
| Epoch | 26 March 2017 |
Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) is a joint mission between JAXA and NASA as well as other international space agencies to make frequent (every 2–3 hours) observations of Earth’s precipitation. It is part of NASA's Earth Systematic Missions program and works with a satellite constellation to 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. GPM builds on the notable successes of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), which was also a joint NASA-JAXA activity.
The project is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and consists of a GPM Core Observatory satellite assisted by a constellation of spacecraft from other agencies and missions. 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 from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, on a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket. The launch occurred on February 28, 2014 at 3:37am JST on the first attempt. Agencies in the United States, Japan, India and France (together with Eumetsat) operate the remaining satellites in the constellation for agency-specific goals, but also cooperatively provide data for GPM.
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.
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