Bad decision...TRMM to be terminated?

[Anonymous]

NASA Plan To Kill TRMM Mission Spurs Backlash, Debate

Termination of Operation of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)

It is expected that TRMM will terminate its observation operation during July, followed by the altitude lowering drift down phase. Controlled re-entry and safe ocean disposal will be completed about a year later.

For those of you not aware about what I'm talking about, TRMM is a satellite that has helped with tropical rainfall measurements...including hurricanes and tropical cyclones. Just an example from the latest good TC image (Mindulle)...



TRMM Homepage and TRMM TC Image Archives

I'm not sure why they feel a healthy, useful satellite needs to go down...doesn't make much sense.

[alicia-w]

The article says that #1, the final decision hasnt been made, and #2, the issue is money. As with most government agencies, we're asked to identify efficiencies and if they cant afford the program, it will get axed. (Especially with all of these must-pay war bills)

[kevin]

We've got to get back into the space exploration business. NASA doesn't need to cut projects though, NASA just needs a score or so billion more each year. As if it matters when 400 billion goes to defense, but its best not to get political in a science forum. =)

[Wnghs2007]

We've got to get back into the space exploration business. NASA doesn't need to cut projects though, NASA just needs a score or so billion more each year. As if it matters when 400 billion goes to defense, but its best not to get political in a science forum. =)

I agree with that totally. And its pretty sad that nasa has collapsed to such a level.

[alicia-w]

even if it is a science forum, you need to have an administration in place that gives a rat's a _ _ about NASA and it's future.

i dont know what their prioritized list looks like, but every one has to give up something.