The NASA / JAXA GPM Core Observatory satellite was launched on Feb. 27, 2014 from Tanagashima Space Center in Japan, marking the start of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

We will celebrate this ten-year anniversary throughout 2024 with special events and opportunities.  We invite all of you to join us as we share how this international constellation has improved life around the globe as well as enabled us to better understand our water cycle.

Check in to this space regularly to see the featured “GPM Original” resource of the month, upcoming special events, and fun facts about this mission as we gear up to our year-long celebration!

Animation showing the launch and deployment of the GPM Core Observatory. Credits: NASA

Featured Resources

September 2023 - Size Matters: Measuring Raindrop Sizes from Space

Have you ever noticed that raindrops seem to differ in size? In this video, you will find out the actual shape of raindrops and learn how and why we are able to measure the size of droplets from space.

August 2023 - Living in a Freshwater World

We think of our home planet as the "water planet". As we gaze out in awe at the other planets in our solar system, we know we’re unique in having nearly three-quarters of our planet covered in beautiful water. Life as we know it depends on water for its very survival. Have fun engaging with this interactive to learn more about our world’s most precious resource.

July 2023 - From Satellites to your Backyard - Graphing IMERG Monthly Precipitation Data

Did you know NASA has satellites that observe rain and snow all over the world? With this activity you can access NASA data to see how much precipitation was observed by satellites for your location any time from June 2000 to the present.

June 2023 - Dive into a 360 Degree View of Hurricane Maria

As we enter the 2023 Hurricane Season, which begins June 1st and runs through Nov. 30th, learn how NASA studies hurricanes by diving into Hurricane Maria - a category 5 storm which devastated several Caribbean islands in Sept. 2017. This incredible data visualization takes you on a tour inside of Hurricane Maria. showing you how the GPM Core Observatory uses an advanced radar to measures the liquid and frozen precipitation within the storm. 

May 2023 - The Water Cycle Webquest

Ever wonder where the water on our home planet came from? Check out this Interactive webquest and explore the importance of our most precious natural resource - fresh water!

April 2023 - Around the World with GPM

In this interactive StoryMap discover the many ways the GPM satellite precipitation data are improving life around the world.  

March 2023 - Predicting Earth's Climate with NASA Data

We hear a lot about climate change these days. Did you know that NASA does an incredible amount of research to better understand our home planet and understand how and why our climate is changing? Check out these resources to learn more about how NASA studies our climate and develop models to help us make predictions about our climate in the future.

February 2023 - Earth’s Water Globe Activity

Every time you take a sip of water, think about how that water you are enjoying has been circling through Earth’s water cycle for billions of years! Pretty incredible, eh? Chances are that the water coming from your faucet was falling from clouds as precipitation only weeks ago. Check out this hands-on activity which can be used to learn about how much of the water on Earth is freshwater.