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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2006. Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission: A Perspective from the Research and Operations Communities: Interim Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11195.
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B
Statement of Task1

An ad hoc expert committee will be formed to provide advice to the National Aeronatuics and Space Administration (NASA) on the future of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and potential follow-on research and operational missions. The committee will approach the study in two phases:

PHASE I (THIS REPORT)

The committee will conduct a workshop and prepare an interim report to be delivered in December 2004 on how best to use the remaining TRMM spacecraft life. In particular, the committee and workshop participants will consider:

  • Scientific and research contributions of TRMM to date and those expected if TRMM is continued;

  • Operational contributions of TRMM to date and those expected if TRMM is continued;

  • Assessment of expected benefits of continuing TRMM operation until (1) fuel is depleted to the level needed for a controlled reentry (around December 2005) and (2) until all fuel is depleted (estimated to be 2010-2011).

1

For an updated version of the Phase II statement of task, see the companion report on GPM (NRC, in review).

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2006. Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission: A Perspective from the Research and Operations Communities: Interim Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11195.
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PHASE II

The committee will prepare a final report to be delivered in Fall 2005 focusing on needs for satellite-based measurements of tropical rainfall in 2006 and beyond. Specific issues to be addressed include:

  • Lessons learned regarding extension of TRMM that would be applicable to other NASA research and development satellites with operational applications and for which extension decisions will be made in the future;

  • Any requirement to plan a new follow-on operational satellite that can provide data currently provided by TRMM;

  • Optimal use of the Global Precipitation Mission, a spacecraft planned for launch in 2011, which is a research follow-on to TRMM.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2006. Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission: A Perspective from the Research and Operations Communities: Interim Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11195.
×
Page 75
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 2006. Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission: A Perspective from the Research and Operations Communities: Interim Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/11195.
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Page 76
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Launched jointly in 1997 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is a satellite mission that placed a unique suite of instruments, including the first precipitation radar, in space. These instruments are used to monitor and predict tropical cyclone tracks and intensity, estimate rainfall, and monitor climate variability (precipitation and sea surface temperature). TRMM has been collecting data for seven years; this data is used by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the National Center for Environmental Prediction, and the National Hurricane Center, among others worldwide. In July 2004, NASA announced that it would terminate TRMM in August 2004. At the request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the White House, and the science community, NASA agreed to continue TRMM operations through the end of 2004. Meanwhile, NASA asked a National Research Council (NRC) committee to provide advice on the benefits of keeping TRMM in operation beyond 2004. After holding a workshop with a number of experts in the field, the committee found that TRMM will contribute significantly to operations and science if the mission is extended; and therefore, strongly recommends continued operation of TRMM with the caveat that cost and risk will need to be further examined before a final decision about the future of TRMM can be made.

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