NOAA's Role in Space-Based Global Precipitation Estimation and Application

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses precipitation data in many applications including hurricane forecasting. Currently, NOAA uses data collected from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite that was launched in 1997 by NASA in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA is now making plans to launch the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission in 2013 to succeed TRMM, which was originally intended as a 3 to 5 year mission but has enough fuel to orbit until 2012. The GPM mission consists of a "core" research satellite flying with other "constellation" satellites to provide global precipitation data products at three-hour intervals. This book is the second in a 2-part series from the National Research Council on the future of rainfall measuring missions. The book recommends that NOAA begin its GPM mission preparations as soon as possible and that NOAA develop a strategic plan for the mission using TRMM experience as a guide. The first book in the series, Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (December 2004), recommended that the TRMM mission be extended as long as possible because of the quality, uniqueness, and many uses of its data. NASA has officially extended the TRMM mission until 2009. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Lessons from TRMM Applicable to the GPM Mission 3 Precipitation Data in NOAA Operations 4 NOAA Preparation for Early Exploitation of New Space-Based Precipitation Data 5 NOAA Roadmap to Prepare for Future Space-Based Global Precipitation Missions References Contributors to the Study Process Appendix A: NOAA White Paper: NOAA Cooperation with NASA on the Global Precipitation Mission Appendix B: NOAA'S Near-, Mid-, and Long-Term Goals Appendix C: NASA Reauthorization Bill: NASA-NOAA Coordination Appendix D: Committee Biographies Appendix E: Acronyms