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Powerful Typhoon Phanfone

Powerful Typhoon Phanfone
Typhoon Phanfone had sustained wind speeds of about 110 kts (127 mph) and a well defined eye when the TRMM satellite passed over on October 3, 2014 at 0208 UTC. Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) measurements showed that Phanfone's eye wall and strong feeder bands contained rain frequently falling at a rate of over 60 mm (2.4 inches) per hour. Typhoon Phanfone's wind speeds were predicted today by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to peak at 120 kts (138 mph) on October 4, 2014 0600 UTC. As a weakening typhoon, Phanfone's course is predicted to change from north

Typhoon Phanfone Becomes More Powerful

Typhoon Phanfone Becomes More Powerful
The TRMM satellite again flew over typhoon Phanfone in the western Pacific Ocean on October 2, 2014 at 0939 UTC. Typhoon Phanfone's estimated sustained wind speeds had increased to over 115 kts (about 132 mph). The rainfall pattern observed using TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) data showed that Phanfone was much better organized than a day earlier. This precipitation analysis revealed that intensifying typhoon Phanfone had a large eye. The heaviest rainfall was shown falling at a rate of over 50 mm (almost 2 inches) per hour in the northern side of the typhoon's eye

Typhoon Phanfone Heads Toward Japan

Typhoon Phanfone Heads Toward Japan
An intensifying typhoon called Phanfone that originated east of Guam on September 28, 2014 is headed toward southern Japan. The TRMM satellite crossed above typhoon Phanfone on October 1, 2014 at 1039 UTC. Rainfall that was made from TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) Precipitation Radar (PR) data collected with this orbit is shown in this image. Typhoon Phanfone's winds were estimated to be above 65 kts (about 75 mph) at the time of this TRMM view. Winds within the increasingly powerful typhoon are are expected to increase to over 100 kts (115 mph) in the next few days while moving toward the

A Weaker Typhoon Halong Moves Toward Japan

A Weaker Typhoon Halong Moves Toward Japan
Typhoon Halong was a very dangerous category 5 typhoon a few days ago. Halong was still a strong violent category 2 typhoon with winds of 85kts (about 98 mph) when the TRMM satellite saw it on August 5, 2014 at 1550 UTC. Rainfall derived from TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) data is shown overlaid on an enhanced MTSAT infrared image received at 1600 UTC. Rain was shown by TRMM PR to be falling at a rate of over 87 mm (about 3.4 inches) per hour south of the Halong's eye. Typhoon Halong is predicted by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to hit southern Japan with

Tropical Storm Neoguri Soaks Southern Japan

Tropical Storm Neoguri Soaks Southern Japan
Once powerful typhoon Neoguri is dropping copious rainfall as it passes over southern Japan as a tropical storm. Heavy rainfall from Neoguri fell on land that was already soaked earlier this month by a slow moving seasonal frontal system. Flooding and mudslides from Neoguri have caused the deaths of three people in Japan this week. The TRMM Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA), produced at Goddard Space Flight Center, combines the rainfall estimates generated by TRMM and other satellites (3B42). The analysis above shows a near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA)

Live from Japan: GPM Tweet Chat Recap

Live from Japan: GPM Tweet Chat Recap
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Global Precipitation Measurement is a big mission. You've got questions? We've got answers. Three days before launch of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, NASA staff supporting the mission set up shop in the lobby of the Sun Pearl Hotel in nearby Minamitane for a live Twitter Q-and-A to answer questions about the mission and what it will do in orbit. GPM Project Manager Art Azarbarzin and supporting staff Ellen Gray and Rani Gran taking part in the GPM Twitter Q-and-A from the Sun Pearl Hotel on Feb. 25. They were also joined by...
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New Video Shows GPM's Journey to Japan

New Video Shows GPM's Journey to Japan
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Pack it up, put it on a plane and fly it to Japan. It sounds simple enough, but a new video from NASA shows when your package is a satellite, it's anything but. NASA's new video, "GPM's Journey to Japan," highlights the unique shipment of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Core Observatory by air, land and sea. Built at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., the GPM spacecraft travelled roughly 7,300 miles (11,750 kilometers) to its launch site at Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island, Japan, where it is scheduled for liftoff on Feb. 27, 2014, at 1:07 p.m...
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GPM Loaded onto Truck in Japan

GPM Loaded onto Truck in Japan
Image Caption
GPM on its last truck during shipment to the launch site.

On the back of the shipping container sits the Environmental Control Unit (left), as well as its generator (green on the right). The ECU has heaters and air conditioners to regulate temperature and humidity as well as filters on the air vents to keep out any contaminants.

GPM Completes Spacecraft Alignments

GPM Completes Spacecraft Alignments
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
After a holiday break, final tests for the GPM Core Observatory resumed on Dec. 30, 2013, with alignment measurements. The spacecraft's instruments and components, such as star trackers and thrusters, are attached to the main body in specific configurations. Spacecraft alignment measurement is analogous to alignment for the wheels of a car. The Core Observatory measurements ensure that no parts have shifted during its transportation from the United States to Japan, so they will work as expected. The GPM Core Observatory in the clean room at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan Image Credit: NASA /...
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