The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory had a busy week at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. The GPM propulsion team did a thorough check of the propulsion system to prepare for fueling the spacecraft later this month.
 
In addition, the GPM completed a full End-to-End test. End-to-End testing simulates mission conditions with the ground systems and communication systems between the spacecraft, data return functions, the Mission Operations Center and Precipitation Processing System at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s science data processing system.
 
The Mission Launch Rehearsal occurred over the weekend. The rehearsal involves everyone who will be on console during launch and runs through each of the events that takes place during the countdown and immediately post launch.
 
The propulsion system checks, End-to-End test and the launch rehearsal all proceeded as expected without major problems.