The TRMM satellite has 5 sensors on board, which are Precipitation Radar (PR), TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI), Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS), Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), and Lighting Imaging Sensor (LIS). PR, TMI, and VIRS are sensors for measuring the rain, but the observation principle and the swath width of each sensor are different from each other. PR measures three dimensional distribution of rainfall be means of receiving returned signals from the rain after it transmits a microwave.
Main Characteristics of the TRMM Satellite
Launch weight
Approx. 3.62 ton
Launcher
H-II Rocket
Launch date
November 28, 1997(JST)
Altitude
Approx. 350 km (402.5km since August 24, 2001)
Inclination
Approx. 35 degrees
Shape at
lift-off: 5.1 m (length), 3.7 m (diameter)
in orbit: 5.1 m (length), 14.6 m (in paddle direction)
Weight
Total: 3620 kg [3524 kg], Fuel: 890 kg,
Dry weight: 2730 kg [2634 kg]
Power
Approx. 1100 W [Ave. 850 W]
Attitude control
Zero momentum three-axis stabilized
Data transmission
via TDRS 32Kbps (Real Time), 2Mbps (Play Back)
Design life
3 years and 2 months
Mission instrument
Precipitation Radar (PR)
TRMM Microwave Imager (TMl)
Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS)
Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System
(CERES)
Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS)