GPM Core Observatory

Fairing Attached to HII-A Rocket

The Global Precipitation Measurement Core (GPM) Observatory is scheduled to launch on Feb. 27 (EST) from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries team finished installing the GPM mission’s Core Observatory into the fairing. The main installation occurred on Feb. 13, and all final activities and checks concluded on Feb. 16. The fairing is the top part of the rocket that will protect the spacecraft during launch. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries moved the fairing containing the GPM Core Observatory to the vehicle assembly building on Feb. 18 at Tanegashima Space Center. Inside

GPM Core Installed into Rocket Fairing

On Feb. 11, the Core Observatory was moved into the spacecraft fairing assembly building and into the Encapsulation Hall. Final inspections and preparations were completed for the installation into the fairing, which began on Feb 13. The fairing is the part of the rocket that will contain the spacecraft at the top of the H-IIA rocket. The encapsulation process for the H-IIA is very different than for most U.S. rockets. For U.S. rockets, the fairing is usually in two pieces that close around the payload like a clamshell. To install the GPM Core Observatory into the fairing of the H-IIA rocket
GPM Launch Party at NASA Goddard
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., is opening its Visitor Center to the public for a family-friendly activity-filled Global Precipitation Measurement launch party from noon to 3 p.m. EST Feb. 27, 2014. We will watch a live NASA Television broadcast of the launch of the GPM Core Observatory from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. We will have expert presentations and family-friendly, hands-on demonstrations. The launch of the GPM Core Observatory is scheduled for no earlier than 1:07 p.m. EST. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and...

GPM Spacecraft Completes Fueling

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission propulsion team completed fueling the Core Observatory spacecraft on Feb. 6 in the spacecraft and fairing assembly building at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. Afterward the propulsion team did leak checks. GPM's fuel is hydrazine, which will power GPM's 12 thrusters that are used to maneuver the spacecraft so that it first enters then maintains its final orbit 253 miles (407 km) above Earth's surface. GPM will carry enough fuel for a minimum of five years of mission life.

GPM Completes Final Checks, Prepares for Fueling

The GPM Core Observatory completed final checks and the team is preparing to install it in the transportation canister that will move it to the spacecraft and fairing assembly building at JAXA’s Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. There, the spacecraft will be fueled next week, followed by installation into the fairing that will contain the spacecraft on the top of the H-IIA rocket. Last week, GPM passed its Operational Readiness Reviewat NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. A NASA panel reviewed all systems and procedures in place for GPM's ground, operation and control systems
Document Description

The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission is an international space network of satellites designed to provide the next generation precipitation observations around the world every 2 to 4 hours. It is a science mission with integrated applications goals.

NASA, JAXA Prepare GPM Satellite for Launch
Watch the GPM L-30 Press Briefing on Youtube: Part 1: GPM Mission Briefing Part 2: GPM Science Briefing The world enters a new era of global weather observing and climate science in February with the launch of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, a new international science satellite built by NASA. GPM, a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is scheduled to launch Feb. 27 from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global...