NOAA's Role in Space-Based Global Precipitation Estimation and Application (2007) / Chapter Skim
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2 Lessons from TRMM Applicable to the GPM Mission
2 Lessons from TRMM Applicable to the GPM Mission
Pages 21-32
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From page 21... ...
. This chapter addresses the first question of the committee's task: What lessons were learned from the TRMM mission with respect to operational uses of the data and how can these lessons enhance the use of GPM mission data and other NASA research mission data in NOAA operational forecasts?
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From page 22... ...
The GPM research plan has operational objectives, and efforts are under way to establish an effective NASA-NOAA partnership for the GPM post-launch phase. The TRMM ground validation approach The GPM ground validation program will followed the traditional lines of rain rate- include quantitative assessment of the oriented intercomparisons with classical distribution and the nature of retrieval errors.
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From page 23... ...
2. Robustness and High Endurance of the TRMM Microwave Imager and Precipitation Radar Systems in Space TRMM was designed as a minimum 3-year research mission with a goal of 5 years' duration.
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From page 24... ...
The major scientific and technological leap forward with the GPM mission is the dual-frequency precipitation radar in the core satellite, which will have several advantages over the TRMM precipitation radar. The two frequencies of the GPM precipitation radar are the "Ku band" frequency (13.6 GHz; similar to the 13.8 GHz frequency of TRMM's precipitation radar)
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From page 25... ...
. Subsequently, the non-sun-synchronous orbit provides orbital intersections between 35 degrees latitude North and South for intercalibration between the TRMM Microwave Imager and other passive microwave measurements from polar-orbiting satellites.
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From page 26... ...
6. Direct Validation of TRMM Precipitation Measurements Proved Difficult A comprehensive ground validation program encompasses four major elements: (1)
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From page 27... ...
In doing so, TRMM also provided lessons about the optimum approach for obtaining time series of global precipitation measurements from space at higher spatial and temporal resolution. Specifically, TRMM has demonstrated that a satellite with a similar instrument compliment (precipitation radar, microwave imager, visible-infrared sensor)
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From page 28... ...
In these studies, cloud microphysical information matched to TRMM precipitation observations provided new and unanticipated insights into the influence of aerosols on the formation or suppression of precipitation. LESSONS FOR OPERATIONAL APPLICATION OF RESEARCH MISSION DATA TRMM was planned as a purely research mission with no specific goals for operations, and this has affected the pace and nature of the subsequent development of operational applications of the data.
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From page 29... ...
As a consequence, this limited the effective use of TRMM data in numerical weather prediction. However, TRMM has generated the momentum for improving data assimilation systems and numerical weather prediction models, which may better prepare operational agencies for the launch of the GPM core satellite.
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From page 30... ...
. To fulfill the broad application goals of the GPM mission as well as to satisfy NOAA requirements for real-time applications, the GPM data will have to be available for operational use in a more timely manner than was the case for the TRMM data (White, 2005)
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From page 31... ...
NOAA's pre-launch planning would have to be aligned with and integrated into the basic structure of NOAA activities and make full use of the existing constellation of passive microwave satellites and the combination of the TRMM Precipitation Radar and the TRMM Microwave Imager. To avoid the potential negative effects on operational use of GPM data due to uncertainty regarding NASA's continuation of the GPM mission, NOAA will have to plan early.
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From page 32... ...
32 NOAA'S ROLE IN SPACE-BASED GLOBAL PRECIPITATION A long-term, strategic program of applied research will address many complex problems regarding NOAA's use of space-based precipitation information to improve modeling, forecasting, and climate applications. To guide NOAA's efforts in developing a GPM strategic plan, the following chapters identify operational uses for GPM data and recommend preparation activities.
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