Global precipitation measurement (GPM) mission core spacecraft systems engineering challenges

Abstract

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is a collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and other US and international partners, with the goal of monitoring the diurnal and seasonal variations in precipitation over the surface of the earth. These measurements will be used to improve current climate models and weather forecasting, and enable improved storm and flood warnings. This paper gives an overview of the mission architecture and addresses the status of some key trade studies, including the geolocation budgeting, design considerations for spacecraft charging, and design issues related to the mitigation of orbital debris.

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) development

“…6,7 It consists of the Core Spacecraft carrying the JAXA-supplied Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and the NASA Constellation satellite carrying a second GMI identical to that flown on the Core Spacecraft.…”