GMI being integrated onto the GPM Core Observatory
![GMI being integrated onto the GPM Core Observatory GMI being integrated onto the GPM Core Observatory](/sites/default/files/imageGallery/GMI_integration_3_2012.jpg)
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The GPM Microwave Imager was mechanically integrated onto the GPM Core Observatory on Wednesday, March 7th.
For the past three years, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has gone from components and assembly drawings to a fully functioning satellite at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The satellite has now arrived in Japan, where it will lift off in early 2014.
The Japanese-built radar is a new instrument designed to take 3-D measurements of raindrops and snowflakes.
Each time a new component is added to the spacecraft, rigorous testing is conducted to ensure the new components operate correctly and work effectively with existing systems.