. 24/7 Space News .
NASA Will Operate TRMM Satellite Through To May

Illustration of the TRMM spacecraft in orbit around Earth.
Washington (SPX) Jan 05, 2005
NASA will continue to operate the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft through spring 2005. TRMM has yielded significant scientific research data over the past seven years to users around the globe, four years beyond its original design life.

TRMM data has aided the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other users in their scientific research, understanding of rainfall and storm prediction, and by demonstrating its benefits in operational forecasts.

The extension followed release of interim report recommendations today from the National Academy of Science's (NAS) Committee on the Future of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. The Committee "strongly recommended continued operation of TRMM, at least until such time as a decision on controlled reentry becomes unavoidable."

NASA and NOAA asked the NAS last summer to convene a workshop to advise on the best use of TRMM's remaining spacecraft life; the overall risks and benefits of the TRMM mission extension options; the advisability of transfer of operational responsibility for TRMM to NOAA; any requirement for a follow-on operational satellite to provide comparable TRMM data; and optimal use of Global Precipitation Measurement mission, a follow-on research spacecraft to TRMM, planned for launch at decade's end. The ad hoc expert NAS Committee will issue a final report next summer.

"NASA recognizes the sustained value of TRMM data to the community and appreciates the Academy's thorough and thoughtful consideration of the future of this mission," said Deputy Associate Administrator for Science of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Dr. Ghassem Asrar.

"With this additional mission extension, however, we continue to be vigilant in maintaining our requirement for an eventual safe, controlled re- entry and deorbit of the spacecraft," he said.

Launched in 1997, TRMM was originally designed as a three-year research mission. Following four years of extending TRMM, NASA and its mission partner, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, planned to decommission TRMM and proceed with a safe, controlled deorbit. NASA's extension of TRMM last fall ensured observations through the hurricane season. The extension accommodated a request from NOAA.

Related Links
TRMM
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

High-Flying Observatory Reveals Land Changing To Desert
Stanford CA (SPX) Jan 04, 2005
Using advanced remote-sensing techniques from a U-2 surveillance plane and field studies, scientists from the Carnegie Institution Department of Global Ecology have for the first time determined large-scale interactions between ecosystems and the climate during the process of desertification.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.