TRMM Mission
Joint NASA–JAXA Earth-observation program launched on 27 November 1997 to measure rainfall over the tropical and subtropical regions, where much of Earth’s precipitation occurs. TRMM carried the first precipitation radar flown in space together with the TRMM Microwave Imager and Visible/Infrared Scanner, producing three-dimensional storm and rainfall observations that supported climate research, numerical weather prediction, tropical-cyclone forecasting, flood and drought monitoring, and the later GPM mission. Science operations ended in April 2015 after fuel depletion.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Tropical Rainfall Measuring MissionTRMMTRMM MissionNASA–JAXA TRMMTropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
- Name
- TRMM Mission
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Joint NASA–JAXA Earth-observation program launched on 27 November 1997 to measure rainfall over the tropical and subtropical regions, where much of Earth’s precipitation occurs. TRMM carried the first precipitation radar flown in space together with the TRMM Microwave Imager and Visible/Infrared Scanner, producing three-dimensional storm and rainfall observations that supported climate research, numerical weather prediction, tropical-cyclone forecasting, flood and drought monitoring, and the later GPM mission. Science operations ended in April 2015 after fuel depletion.
- Destination
- Non-sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at approximately 350 km initially, boosted to approximately 402 km (35° inclination; 91-minute period)
- End Date
- 2015-04-08
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Successful and extended. TRMM operated for 17 years after its 1997 launch, using the first precipitation radar flown in space together with microwave and visible/infrared sensors to improve rainfall, storm, climate, and water-cycle observations. NASA and JAXA ended science operations on 8 April 2015 after fuel depletion; the spacecraft reentered over the South Indian Ocean on 15 June 2015, and TRMM data continue to support successor GPM precipitation products.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1997-11-27
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/trmm/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 12:58:19 UTC
- Updated Time
- September 8, 2026 at 08:38:03 UTC
- Image
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Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles