Global Precipitation Measurement
{{Short description|Joint mission between JAXA and NASA}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Global Precipitation Measurement
| image = Global Precipitation Measurement spacecraft model.png
| image_caption = Artist's concept of the GPM Core Observatory
| image_size = 275px
| mission_type = Environmental research
| COSPAR_ID = 2014-009C
| SATCAT = 39574
| mission_duration = Planned: 3 years
Elapsed: {{time interval|27 February 2014 18:37|show=ymd|sep=,}}
| spacecraft_bus =
| manufacturer = NASA GSFC{{\}}Ball Aerospace{{\}}JAXA{{\}}NICT{{\}}NEC Toshiba Space Systems
| dry_mass =
| launch_mass = {{convert|3850|kg|lb}}
| dimensions =
| power = 1.95 kW
| launch_date = {{start-date|February 27, 2014, 18:37}} UTC
| launch_rocket = H-IIA 202 F-23
| launch_site = Tanegashima Yoshinobu 1
| launch_contractor = Mitsubishi
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_epoch = 26 March 2017
| orbit_reference = Geocentric
| orbit_regime = Low Earth
| orbit_semimajor = {{convert|6779|km|mi}}
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|400.9|km|mi}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|415.3|km|mi}}
| orbit_inclination = 65°
| orbit_period = 92.60 minutes
| apsis = gee
}}
Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) is a joint satellite mission between JAXA and NASA as well as other international space agencies to make frequent (every 2–3 hours) observations of Earth's precipitation from orbit. 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.{{cite web|title=The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/overview/index.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-date=2014-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225024521/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/overview/index.html|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=Constellation Partners|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/GPM/constellation-partners|publisher=NASA|access-date=2014-02-19}} 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 3:37 am JST on the first attempt.{{cite web|title=GPM Launch Information|date=22 January 2014|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/launch/index.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=2014-02-19}} 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.
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Science objectives
GPM has five broad science objectives:[https://pmm.nasa.gov/GPM/science-objectives "Science Objectives."] NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved: 8 March 2018.
- 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
=Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR)=
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.{{cite web|title=GPM Spacecraft and Instruments|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/spacecraft/index.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=2014-02-19}} Data from the DPR is sent to the ground via a single-access link with TDRSS relay satellites.[https://pmm.nasa.gov/gpm/flight-project/core-observatory "Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Core Observatory"]. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved: 6 March 2018.
=GPM Microwave Imager (GMI)=
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. Data from the GMI is continuously sent to the ground via a multiple-access link with TDRSS relay satellites.
Precipitation data sets
GPM produces and distributes a wide variety of precipitation data products. Processing takes place at the Precipitation Processing System (PPS) at NASA Goddard 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.{{cite web|title=Explanation of Data Products|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/data-access/data-products|publisher=NASA|access-date=2014-02-19}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://pmm.nasa.gov/data-access|title=Data Access {{!}} Precipitation Measurement Missions|website=pmm.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov/giovanni/|title=Giovanni|website=giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} a web API,{{Cite web|url=https://pmm.nasa.gov/precip-apps|title=Precipitation and Applications Viewer {{!}} Precipitation Measurement Missions|website=pmm.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} and a 3D near-realtime global precipitation viewer.{{Cite web|url=https://pmm.nasa.gov/data-access/global-viewer|title=Global Precipitation Viewer {{!}} Precipitation Measurement Missions|website=pmm.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}}
Social media and outreach
In addition to maintaining social media accounts{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NASA_Rain |title=GPM & TRMM Missions (NASA_Rain) on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NASA.Rain |title=Precipitation Measurement Missions |publisher=Facebook |date=2014-02-22 |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_8hVmWnP_O258ZS4-HKumKTfX7f72LHA |title=NASA Goddard |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2014-02-26}} and the GPM Road to Launch Blog, JAXA and NASA developed several outreach activities specific to this mission prior to launch that the public could participate in. After launch a series of featured articles{{Cite web|url=https://pmm.nasa.gov/resources/featured-articles-archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016074201/http://pmm.nasa.gov/resources/featured-articles-archive|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-10-16|title=Featured Articles Archive {{!}} Precipitation Measurement Missions|website=pmm.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} and videos{{Cite web|url=http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/GPM.html|title=Gallery: Global Precipitation Measurement|website=svs.gsfc.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} 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{{Cite web|url=https://pmm.nasa.gov/education|title=Precipitation Education|website=pmm.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-10}} is also maintained to provide teachers and students with lesson plans, animations, and other resources to teach about the water cycle, Earth science, and the GPM mission.
- NASA Socials
- JAXA-NASA DC Cherry Blossom Event {{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/connect/social/social_gpm_april2013.html |title=A Blooming Partnership: Behind the Scenes of JAXA & NASA Missions | NASA |publisher=Nasa.gov |date=2013-04-12 |access-date=2014-02-26 |archive-date=2017-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522085552/https://www.nasa.gov/connect/social/social_gpm_april2013.html |url-status=dead }}
- April 12, 2013, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NASASocial/lists/jaxa-nasa-cherry-blossoms |title=@NASASocial/JAXA/NASA Cherry Blossoms on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2013-04-12 |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_goddard/sets/72157633226787889 |title=NASA, JAXA Host 'NASA Social' – a set on Flickr |publisher=Flickr.com |date= 12 April 2013|access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntdFUFkis3k&list=PL2aBZuCeDwlT56jTrxQ3FExn-dtchIwsZ&index=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ntdFUFkis3k |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Cherry Blossoms and Partnerships in Space discussed at NASA Social |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-04-12 |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cbignore}}
- GPM Media Day{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/social-media-accreditation-opens-for-gpm-media-day/ |title=Social Media Accreditation Opens for GPM Media Day | NASA |publisher=Nasa.gov |date=2013-09-11 |access-date=2014-02-26}}
- Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD
- Social media users were invited to apply for credentials to attend the media day activities and share their experiences via their own accounts.{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_goddard/sets/72157637706367915/ |title=GPM NASA Social at Goddard – a set on Flickr |publisher=Flickr.com |date= 15 November 2013|access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NASASocial/gpm-media-day/members |title=@NASASocial/GPM Media Day on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2014-02-26}}
- Photo Contests
- Extreme Weather{{cite web|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/articles/extreme-weather-photo-contest-winners |title=Extreme Weather Photo Contest Winners | Precipitation Measurement Missions |publisher=Pmm.nasa.gov |access-date=2014-02-26}}
- Let it Snow{{cite web|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/featured-articles/gpm-let-it-snow-photo-contest-winners |title=GPM "Let it Snow" Photo Contest Winners | Precipitation Measurement Missions |publisher=Pmm.nasa.gov |access-date=2014-02-26}}
- Unique Perspectives{{cite web|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/unique-perspectives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023235053/http://pmm.nasa.gov/unique-perspectives |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-10-23 |title=GPM "Unique Perspectives" Contest | Precipitation Measurement Missions |publisher=Pmm.nasa.gov |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|title=GPM "Unique Perspectives" Winners|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/gpm-unique-perspectives-photo-contest-winners|publisher=NASA|access-date=13 February 2014}}
- GPM Anime Challenge{{cite web|author=GPM Anime Challenge |url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/anime |title=| Precipitation Education |publisher=Pmm.nasa.gov |access-date=2014-02-26}}{{cite web|url=http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/anime-winners |title=Winners of the GPM Anime Challenge | Precipitation Education |publisher=Pmm.nasa.gov |access-date=2014-02-26}}
In popular culture
The main character Mohan Bharghav (Shahrukh Khan) in 2004 Indian film Swades: We, the People is 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.[http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-10-best-bollywood-movies-of-the-decade/20110112.htm 10 Best Bollywood Movies of the Decade] Rediff.com retrieved March 01 2014 In the movie the GPM satellite is launched by the Space Shuttle.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Gowarikar-shoots-Swades-at-Nasa/articleshow/726753.cms Gowarikar shoots Swades at Nasa] 8 June 2004, Times of India
A short anime film of 6 minutes, Dual frequency Precipitation Radar Special Movie, was produced by JAXA and White Fox in 2013.[http://www.sky-animes.com/index.php?file=Media&op=categorie&cat=4388 DPR Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar Special Movie / DPRスペシャルムービー], Sky-Animes
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
- {{official website|http://www.nasa.gov/gpm}} (NASA)
- [http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/GPM.html GPM videos]
- {{official website|http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f23/index_e.html}} (JAXA)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130510125001/http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat04.pdf Global Precipitation Measurement/ Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar pamphlet]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150903102056/http://jda.jaxa.jp/category_v.php?lang=e&page=&category1=256&category2=257&category3=263&page_pics=50 GPM videos]
- [https://twitter.com/NASA_Rain Twitter] and [https://www.facebook.com/NASA.Rain Facebook]
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