Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) and Dual-Wavelength Radar (DPR)

Global precipitation measurement is essential not only for the research of the global change but also for the water resources management. Currently, satellite precipitation measurement is not sufficient for the detailed study of the precipitation and is far from enough for the water resources management which requires very high spatial and temporal resolution. To fill the gap at least partly, the Global Precipitation Measuring (GPM) was proposed jointly by US and Japan. The basic concept of GPM is to provide three hourly global precipitation map using eight constellation satellites equipped with microwave radiometers and a core satellite equipped with a dual-wavelength radar (DPR) and a microwave radiometer. GPM is partly a follow-on mission of the Tropical Precipitation Mission (TRMM), but GPM will extend the observation to cold regions where solid precipitation frequently exists.