Setting up GPM on the High Capacity Centrifuge
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The GPM satellite, under construction, is fitted to the bed of the High Capacity Centrifuge for spin testing.
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Testing GPM on the High Capacity Centrifuge
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GPM moves from the clean room to the test chamber on a dolly without wheels. Compressed air is pumped out under airpads that float the Spacecraft on a bed of air. The wind generated when the centrifuge moves at its maximum speed are more than 200 mph - that's tornado speed. But since they move with the centrifuge the satellites tested only feel 20 mph winds. Leaning outward at 45 degrees for one test orientation, GPM comes within 28 inches of the wall. When lifted onto the platform it cleared the ceiling by only five inches.
Testing the GPM Solar Array
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The –Y wing undergoes modal testing, a type of vibrational testing.
The small squares are 59 accelerometers that measure the movement of the array.
Diagram of the GPM Solar Array Assembly
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A diagram of the GPM Core Observatory depicting various components of the Solar Array Assembly.
The solar arrays provide all the electrical energy for the satellite, and must survive flying in Earth's thin upper atmosphere at an altitude of 407 km (253 miles), where they will be subjected to small drag forces and exposure to corrosive atomic oxygen.
GPM Core Observatory, Integration and Testing
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The GPM Core Observatory spacecraft in integration and testing at Goddard Space Flight Center.
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.
UND Citation Aircraft from MC3E
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The UND Citation aircraft was used during the MC3E field campaign to make precipitation measurements using microphysical probes.
Landslides Caused by Typhoon Parma
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Typhoon Parma caused devestating landslides when it hit the Philippines in 2009.
GPM Core Observatory Centrifuge Testing
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The GPM Core Observatory undergoing centrifuge testing at Goddard Space Flight Center.
NASA technicians spun the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite up to just over 10 RPM in Goddard Space Flight Center’s High-Capacity Centrifuge facility March 31. At that speed, the spin exerted a lateral pressure of 2.4 G’s, or 2.4 times the force of gravity on the satellite.
Spin tests such as these are used to determine whether the forces of launch could adversely affect hardware we put into space, and to test spacecraft chassis design.
DROP Ground Validation Instruments
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GPM Disdrometer, Radar and Raingauge Observations of Precipitation (DROP) instruments.
Various ground validation instruments, including the Parsivel Disdrometer in Finland, a Micro Rain Radar, and a Pluvio Snow guage
NPOL Ground Validation Instrument
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The NASA NPOL radar is a research grade S-band, scanning dual-polarimetric radar.
The NPOL underwent a complete antenna system upgrade in 2010 and is one of two fully transportable research-grade S-band systems in the world. It is used to make accurate volumetric measurements of precipitation including rainfall rate, particle size distributions, water contents and precipitation type.