GPM Core Observatory

GPM Completes First Dry Run

By Ellen Gray , NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Original www.nasa.gov Press Release (published 10/17/12) NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite went through its first complete comprehensive performance test (CPT), beginning on Oct. 4, 2012 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The testing ran twenty-four hours, seven days a week and lasted ten days as the entire spacecraft was put through its paces. "This is the first time we've gotten to see the observatory all put together, running the way it's supposed to be running in flight," said CPT
Engineers working on the GPM Core Observatory
By Ellen Gray , NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Original www.nasa.gov Article (published 10/17/12) NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite went through its first complete comprehensive performance test (CPT), beginning on Oct. 4, 2012 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The testing ran twenty-four hours, seven days a week and lasted ten days as the entire spacecraft was put through its paces. "This is the first time we've gotten to see the observatory all put together, running the way it's supposed to be running in flight," said CPT Test...

GPM Completes First Dry Run

Engineers working on the GPM Core Observatory
Image Caption
Engineers check on the GPM spacecraft after successful completion of its first comprehensive performance test.

The silver disc and drum (center) is the GPM Microwave Imager, and the large block on the base is the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar. The tall golden antenna is the High Gain Antenna for communications.

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Solar Array Vibration and Acoustic Testing

GPM's two solar array wings completed vibration and acoustic testing at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. The solar arrays were integrated to an identical copy of the Lower Bus Structure of the satellite for this testing. These tests and deployments demonstrate the ability of the solar array to withstand the vibrations and sounds the satellite will be subject to during launch as well as test the ability of the solar arrays to unfold once in orbit. Diagram of the GPM Core Observatory depicting various components of the Solar Array Assembly.

GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) Testing

The GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) successfully completed a walkout deployment, spin-up and functional and interface testing after being integrated onto the core spacecraft in May, 2012. These series of tests confirmed electrical and functional performance of the GMI with the GPM Core Observatory. The GMI undergoing mechanical integration in March 2012.