NASA launches innovative global precipitation measurement project

March 1, 2014
NASA and JAXA's joint Earth-observing mission, the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory, was launched into space on Thursday, Feb. 27.


WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 28, 2014 -- The joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) -- the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory -- was launched into space on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 1:37 p.m. EST (Friday, Feb. 28 at 3:37 a.m. JST) from Japan.

The GPM Core Observatory will take a major step in improving upon the capabilities of the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM), a joint NASA-JAXA mission launched in 1997 and still in operation. While TRMM measured precipitation in the tropics, the GPM Core Observatory expands the coverage area from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle. GPM will also be able to detect light rain and snowfall -- a major source of available freshwater in some regions.

To better understand Earth's weather and climate cycles, the GPM Core Observatory will collect information that unifies and improves data from an international constellation of existing and future satellites by mapping global precipitation every three hours. "GPM will help us better understand our ever-changing climate, improve forecasts of extreme weather events like floods, and assist decision makers around the world to better manage water resources," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

The GPM Core Observatory was assembled at Goddard and is the largest spacecraft ever built at the center. It carries two instruments to measure rain and snowfall. The GPM Microwave Imager will estimate precipitation intensities from heavy to light rain and snowfall by carefully measuring the minute amounts of energy naturally emitted by precipitation. Further, the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) will use emitted radar pulses to make detailed measurements of three-dimensional rainfall structure and intensity, allowing scientists to improve estimates of how much water the precipitation holds. Mission operations and data processing will be managed from Goddard.

"We still have a lot to learn about how rain and snow systems behave in the bigger Earth system," said GPM Project Scientist Gail Skofronick-Jackson of Goddard. "With the advanced instruments on the GPM Core Observatory, we will have for the first time frequent unified global observations of all types of precipitation, everything from the rain in your backyard to storms forming over the oceans to the falling snow contributing to water resources."

The GPM Core Observatory is the first of NASA's five Earth science missions launching this year. With a fleet of satellites and ambitious airborne and ground-based observation campaigns, NASA monitors Earth's vital signs from land, air and space. NASA also develops new ways to observe and study Earth's interconnected natural systems with long-term data records and computer analysis tools to better see how our planet is changing. The agency freely shares this unique knowledge with the global community and works with institutions in the United States and around the world that contribute to understanding and protecting our home planet.

See also:

"Unique NASA film illustrates Earth's water journey, precipitation research initiative"

"Conference considers satellite's contributions to understanding global energy, water cycle"

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