Assessment of the Benefits of Extending the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission: A Perspective from the Research and Operations Communities: Interim Report (2006)
Chapter: Appendix B: Statement of Task
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).
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.
