GPM Technology and Instrumenta on: LEGO© Model Building Guide

Designed by

www.marsfirst.org

Learn more about the satellite at h p://gpm.nasa.gov

Part 1: Main Module / Satellite Base

Fun Fact: The GPM Core satellite weighs 3850 kg, about the same as a large pickup truck—it is the largest satellite constructed to date at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

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4x

1x

1x 1x

1x 1x 2x

6 = 

1x 1x 1x 2x

Key to nota ons: 1x: indicates quan ty used of that piece (1x2): indicates size of piece—for pieces without visible studs, based on an equivalent piece with studs

Le ers next to piece indicate color, for those prin ng in black and white:

lg = light gray; dg = dark gray; blu = blue; bla = black; w = white; y = yellow

1x 1x 1x

lg lg lg

lg lg

lg lg lg

lg

lg

lg lg lg blu

(2x10) (2x12)

(2x12) (2x10)

Fun Fact:

NASA built the GPM Core Observatory in Maryland, and mission partner the Japan Aerospace Explora on Agency launched it into space on February 27, 2014. To get to the launch site on Tanegashima Island, Ja‐pan, The Core Observatory traveled by truck, cargo plane, and barge.

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Read blog posts and see images and videos about the road to launch

h p://go.nasa.gov/1iBEJml

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lg lg lg

lg lg

lg lg

(1x12)

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9 = 

1x 1x 2x

10

1x

11

1x 1x 1x

12

1x 1x

= 

Fun Fact:

The GPM mission is the first coordinated interna onal satellite network that will provide near real‐ me es ‐mates of rain and snow every 3 hours anywhere on the globe. Other satellites in the constella on come from partner agencies of Japan, Europe and India, as well as U.S. agencies such as NOAA.

The GPM satellite constella on

h p://go.nasa.gov/1dtqF0L

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(4x8)

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13 = 

1x 4x

2x

1x 1x

14

2x 1x 2x 2x

15

Part 2: GPM Microwave Imager and

High Gain Antenna = 

3x 3x

16 3x

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1x 1x 1x

17 Learn more about the in‐

struments on GPM. h p://go.nasa.gov/1fdlFJt

(1x4)

(1x4) (1x3)

w w w

w w (1x4)

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1

1x 1x 1x 1x

=

1x 1x

2 =

19

2x 2x 1x

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1x 2x

Fun Fact:

The GPM Microwave Imager is sensi ve to 13 channels of microwave energy that allow scien sts to dis nguish different types of precipita on. It measures heavy and moderate precipita on as well as light rain and snowfall.

See images of some of the first data collected by the satellite.

h p://go.nasa.gov/1iBJ214

(1x2) (1x4)

w

w w

w

w

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21

= 

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2x 2x

1x 1x

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1x

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See a video overview of the engi‐neering behind building the GPM

Core Observatory.

h p://go.nasa.gov/1iBIurW

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Part 3: Dual Precipita on

Radar

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Ku Band Ka Band

Fun Fact:

GPM's Dual‐frequency Precipita on Radar measures storms and cloud systems in three di‐mensions. Among other things, the 3‐D view allows scien sts to see the forma on of hurricanes and tropical cyclones forming in the oceans, and to study how these storms change over me.

24 2x

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Read more about the DPR h p://go.nasa.gov/1iESanl

And see some of the first data

images collected from it. h p://go.nasa.gov/1r3cpxV

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w w

w

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(2x8)

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29

2x

2x

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= 

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32 2x

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2x 16x 30

Fun Fact:

If all the world's rain gauges were gathered together, they would fill two basketball courts. From space, GPM and other satellites provide global coverage to measure rainfall. The GPM Core Observatory will measure precipita on from about the Arc c Circle to the Antarc c Circle.

See an anima on showing all the rain gauges in the world being collected in one place.

h p://go.nasa.gov/1iBJtbM

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2x 1x

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Part 4: Solar Panels

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See anima ons showing the GPM instruments in ac on.

h p://go.nasa.gov/1dtqouJ

h p://go.nasa.gov/1dtqyCt

w w

lg lg

lg lg lg

blu blu

blu blu

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(4x6)

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42

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1x 3x

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1x 2x

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See a video showing a test deployment of the solar panels

http://go.nasa.gov/1dtq9zL

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2x 1x

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See an animated “beauty pass” of the satellite orbi ng Earth. h p://go.nasa.gov/1r3cYru

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Math Connec on:

What scale is your completed model? The real so‐lar panels on the GPM Core Observatory are 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) wide. Measure the panels on your model, and calculate how many mes bigger the real thing would be.

Engineering Challenge:

A er you build your model, come up with a crea‐ve way to display it. You might think of a muse‐

um exhibit and create a label and cap on as well.

The real satellite goes through a number of tests, including vibra on tes ng, a vacuum chamber, and a ride on a centrifuge. Can you think of some ways to run similar tests on your model?

Dual‐Frequency Precipita on Radar (DPR)

The DPR provides three‐dimensional informa on about precipita on par ‐cles in the different layers of clouds. It sends energy at two frequencies (Ku and Ka) into the cloud and

observes the energy that is reflected back from different heights in the cloud. The DPR collects in‐

forma on on the size, shape and distribu on of raindrops, which im‐proves rain es mates.

GPM Microwave Imager (GPM)

The GMI is a radiometer instrument that measures microwave energy that is emi ed naturally by precipita on within and beneath clouds. Different types of precipita on, like heavy rain and light

snow, emit different wave‐

lengths of energy. The GMI measures these wavelengths

which scien sts use to tell what kind and how much pre‐

cipita on is in the cloud.

High Gain Antenna

The High Gain Antenna allows the Core satellite to communicate with the

ground and send real‐ me, con nuous data from the GMI and DPR.

Avionics / Star Trackers

Star trackers measure the posi on of stars and use a catalog of star loca ons to

help the satellite know where it is in space.

Propulsion Module / Reac on Wheels

The propulsion system consists of the fuel and thrusters used to move the satellite while in orbit and the reac on wheels which maintain the Core Observatory's orienta‐

on. Together, they maintain and correct the orbit as needed throughout the life of the spacecra . When the mission is over, they will drive the spacecra into the at‐

mosphere for a controlled re‐entry to safely destroy it and send the pieces into the ocean.

Solar Array

The GPM Core Observatory’s two solar panels provide pow‐

er for all the satellite’s sys‐tems by conver ng sunlight

into electrical energy.

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1x 4211483

3x 4211628

1x 4538093

1x 4512360

8x 4211476

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3x 4211440

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1x 4211512

Light Gray

Dark Gray

1x 4558959

3x 4210725

Black

2x 459926

4x 614126

Yellow

1x 371024

5x 4518400

4x 302401

1x 4558956

22x 241201

1x 379424

1x 4211407

2x 4558168

8x 243101

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1x 346001

3x 303401

2x 4243812

2x 303501

White

2x 4206482

3x 302323

7x 371023

12x 302023

Blue

1x 4498155

1x 4498156 2x

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Note: LEGO brick numbers are subject to change. See our website for a spreadsheet of this parts list with more details about each piece if needed. h p://go.nasa.gov/Qrq3z

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