NASA | TRMM at 15: The Reign of Rain

The TRMM satellite, launched in 1997, was initially a five-year mission but has provided valuable data for over 15 years. It has advanced research in agriculture, disease tracking, and natural hazards by offering high-resolution rainfall estimates. TRMM's data has enhanced understanding of weather patterns, including El Nino and hurricanes. Its unique instruments, like the precipitation radar and microwave imager, have provided detailed storm analyses. The upcoming GPM mission will build on TRMM's success, offering more advanced instruments and broader coverage.

What was the original mission duration planned for TRMM?

• 15 years

• 10 years

• 5 years

• 20 years

Which of the following areas did TRMM advance research in?

• Space exploration

• Marine biology

• Quantum physics

• Agriculture

What unique instrument does TRMM have that provides a 'CAT scan' of storms?

• Ultraviolet scanner

• Precipitation radar

• Infrared sensor

• Thermal imager

How does TRMM's orbit benefit hurricane observation?

• It avoids stormy areas

• It covers polar regions

• It focuses on land-based storms

• It provides frequent observations within the tropics

What is a key advancement of the GPM mission compared to TRMM?

• It uses the same instruments as TRMM

• It focuses solely on snow

• It extends coverage beyond the tropics

• It only measures light rain