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Pyrotechnics and Fueling for HII-A Rocket

On Tuesday, Feb. 25 (Japan time) at the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, pyrotechnics were connected on the H-IIA launch vehicle that will carry the NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory into space. In addition, the attitude control system that will control the second stage of the launch vehicle was fueled. Live launch coverage from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., begins on NASA Television at 12noon EST on Thursday, Feb. 27. Watch online at: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

Checks Performed on HII-A Rocket Electrical and Propulsion Systems

The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is on schedule to liftoff from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan during a launch window that opens in just over 52 hours (Thursday, Feb. 27 at 1:07 p.m. EST). Launch services provider Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) performed checks on the propulsion and electrical systems on the H-IIA rocket that will carry the GPM Core Observatory into space.
GPM Launch Rehearsal
GPM Launch Rehearsal
JacobAdmin Sun, 02/23/2014
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A good luck "Daruma Doll" is seen amongst the NASA GPM Mission launch team in the Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building 2 (STA2)

A good luck "Daruma Doll" is seen amongst the NASA GPM Mission launch team in the Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building 2 (STA2) during the all-day launch simulation for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), Tanegashima Island, Japan. One eye of the daruma doll is colored in when a goal is set, in this case a successful launch of GPM, and the second eye is colored in at the completion of the goal.

GPM Flags Welcome Visitors to Minamitame Town.

GPM Flags Welcome Visitors to Minamitame Town.
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GPM Flags Welcome Visitors to Minamitame Town.

A roadside flag welcomes the NASA team and visitors to Minamitame Town, one of only a few small towns located outside of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), where the launch of an H-IIA rocket carrying the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory will take place in the next week, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, Tanegashima Island, Japan.

GPM's Rehearsal Weekend at Tanegashima

GPM's Rehearsal Weekend at Tanegashima
Sunday, February 23, 2014
This video introduces Minamitame Town, near the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, from where the Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Core Observatory is scheduled to launch on the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2014 (EST). Image Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Michael Starobin Download this video in HD formats from the Scientific Visualization Studio On the first floor of the Spacecraft Test and Assembly building at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, a skeleton crew of blue-shirted NASA engineers for the Global...
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GPM Undergoes Final Functional Tests

Preparations for the launch of the NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory continue on schedule at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. Launch is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27 U.S. time / Friday, Feb. 28 Japan time. The Core Observatory is now encapsulated in the fairing and installed on the second stage of the H-IIA rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building. On Feb. 19 and 20 (JST), the Core Observatory and the launch vehicle underwent the final functional test for two days. This test included power on/off operation of the launch vehicle and the spacecraft as well as

Entrance Sign to JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center

Entrance Sign to JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center
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Entrance Sign to JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center

The entrance sign to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) is seen a week ahead of the planned launch of an H-IIA rocket carrying the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, Tanegashima Island, Japan. The NASA-JAXA GPM spacecraft will collect information that unifies data from an international network of existing and future satellites to map global rainfall and snowfall every three hours.

Sunset at Tanegashima Island

Sunset at Tanegashima Island
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Sunset at Tanegashima Island

The sun sets just outside the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) a week ahead of the planned launch of an H-IIA rocket carrying the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, Tanegashima Island, Japan. The NASA-JAXA GPM spacecraft will collect information that unifies data from an international network of existing and future satellites to map global rainfall and snowfall every three hours. 

JAXA Topiary at Tanegashima Space Center

JAXA Topiary at Tanegashima Space Center
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JAXA Topiary at Tanegashima Space Center

Topiary shaped into the logo of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is seen at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) a week ahead of the planned launch of an H-IIA rocket carrying the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, Tanegashima Island, Japan. The NASA-JAXA GPM spacecraft will collect information that unifies data from an international network of existing and future satellites to map global rainfall and snowfall every three hours. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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