GPM/DPR Special Site

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February 28, 2014 Updated

Successful launch of H-IIA F 23 with GPM core ovservatory aboard!

The launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23 with the core observatory for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission aboard was successfully performed at 3:37 a.m. on February 28 (Fri.) 2014 (JST).
The launch vehicle flew normally and separated the GPM core observatory at about 15 minutes and 57 seconds after liftoff. The GPM core observatory will conduct critical phase operations.
We await your support messages!

February 26, 2014 Updated

GPM/H-IIA F23 launch time decided! Live broadcast from 2:50 a.m. on Feb. 28 (Fri.) (JST)

The launch time of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23 with the core observatory for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission onboard was set for 3:37:00 on February 28 (Fri.), 2014 (Japan Standard Time).
JAXA will begin a live launch broadcast from the Tanegashima Space Center from 2:50 a.m. on the day. You can watch it through the Internet. Please send your support message for the launch on the special website, or tweet it including #GPM JAXA.

Live Broadcast
GPM/H-IIA F23 Launch:
from 2:50 a.m. on February 28 (Fri, JST) (for 70 min) * The above broadcast schedule is subject to change due to preparations and other factors such as weather.

February 24, 2014 Updated

Final functional check and launch rehearsal completed

After the encapsulated payloads were loaded onto the second stage of the launch vehicle, the final functional inspection was held for two days on Feb. 19 and 20. The powers of the launch vehicle and GPM core observatory were turned on and the separation systems for the fairing and payloads were inspected.
On Feb. 22 and 23, a dress rehearsal was held and all launch-related people participated to check the procedures till liftoff.

February 21, 2014 Updated

GPM core observatory Live Launch Broadcast to start at 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 28

The GPM core observatory will be launched sometime between 3:07 a.m. and 5:07 a.m. on February 28 (Fri.), 2014 (Japan Standard Time).
JAXA's live launch broadcast will begin at around 2:20 a.m. on the day from the Tanegashima Space Center. You can watch it through the Internet. Please watch the launch with us in real time!
We also welcome your support message for the GPM/DPR. Please send your support message for the launch on the special website, or tweet it including #GPM.

February 20, 2014 Updated

GPM core observatory encapsulated and loaded onto H-IIA F23

On Feb. 13, The GPM core observatory was encapsulated by slinging the fairing in the clean room at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA.)
Then, on the 18th, the encapsulated satellite was transported from the SFA to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) by a fairing transporter at the speed of 3 km per hour. The trip of 1.5 km took 30 minutes and the transporter arrived at the VAB around 9:00 a.m. The encapsulated payload was slung by a crane to be loaded onto the second stage of the launch vehicle.

January 17, 2014 Updated

GPM core observatory revealed to the media

On January 17 (Fri.), the GPM core observatory was shown to the media in the Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building 2 (STA2) at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC).
The observatory was transported to the TNSC from the U.S. on Nov. 27, and its launch preparations at the launch site will continue ahead of its departure to space sometime between 3:07 a.m. and 5:07 a.m. on February 28 by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23.
Updated information about the preparation status in a timely manner is available on the GPM/DPR special site.
Your continued support is appreciated!

December 26, 2013 Updated

"Measure rain and snow for the benefit of all."
GPM core observatory with a rain cloud scan radar DPR onboard to be launched by H-IIA F23!

The GPM project, mainly led by JAXA and NASA, is designed to understand global precipitation from space. The main aspect of the GPM project, the GPM core observatory, will be launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23 (H-IIA F23) between 3:07 thru 5:07 a.m. on Feb. 28 (Fri.), 2014 (Japan Standard Time.)
The GPM core observatory carries the cutting-edge Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR,) which was developed in Japan. The DPR can observe any kind of rain from very fine rain to extremely heavy rain, some of which cannot be measured by conventional satellites. In addition, it can acquire detailed information such as the size of a raindrop or snow or ice particle in a cloud as if the DPR scans a rain cloud.