1. Precipitation Virtual Constellation (P-VC)
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
Precipitation Virtual Constellation (P-VC)
Steven Neeck (NASA) and Riko Oki (JAXA)
CEOS SIT-33
Session 3 Agenda Item #3.6
Boulder, CO, USA
24 – 25 April 2018

2. Linkages to CEOS Work Plan, open SIT and Plenary actions
CEOS Work Plan Objectives/Deliverables
VC-17 - Support to ECV precipitation parameter
Reprocessing of all TRMM data to GPM standard (Version 8)
GPM DPR swath expansion in routine operations
Operational availability of JPSS-1/NOAA-20 MIRS precipitation products
Completion of AMSR2 FO MDR and initiation of pre-project phase
Launch of MetOp-C (for incorporation into GPM constellation)
VC-18 - Programs for improvement of global precipitation products
International Collaborative Experiment–PyeongChang Olympics- Paralympics (ICE-POP)
GPM Vector and Waterborne Disease Workshop
AMSR-E reprocessing to AMSR2 standard algorithms and formats
Expansion of GSMaP_NOW NRT multisatellite product to Meteosat region
Open SIT and Plenary Actions - None

3. Team Achievements and Planned Outputs
Achievements (since 2013)
Deployment and operationalization of GPM constellation
Precipitation ECV support through response to GCOS IP Action A8
Support to GEOSS through numerous (8) actions/deliverables (2013-present)
An active X-CAL WG for Passive Microwave (PMW) sensors directly contributing to the enhancement of precipitation measurement and uniformly calibrated multi-satellite products
The PMW Imager Availability Study and promotion of MWI on EPS-SG
Coordinating mechanism for inter-agency scientific dialog on GPM Follow On and Cloud and Precipitation Processes Mission (CaPPM) concepts
Development of the P-VC Data Portal and its lessons learned
Additional space/ground segment, products and services deliverables as identified in the P-VC Terms of Reference (ToR)
Planned Outputs
Continued evolution of VC-17 and VC-18 in support of GEO
Contribution to US DS response and other mission planning frameworks through GPM FO and CaPPM concepts
Support to 2016 GCOS IP Action A25 (and A16, A26)

4. Synergies Among Teams Current synergies
WGDisasters – Landslide Pilot (Co-lead), Flood Pilot (support through Global Flood Monitoring System)
WGClimate (ECV inventory, precipitation support to GCOS IP response)
SST-VC – PMW Radiometer Continuity
GEOGLAM - use of P-VC data through the JASMIN system contribution to the Asia-RICE initiative
Potential synergies
FDA, WGCV, WGCapD, SDG
Obstacles/barriers
Resources (human/budgetary)

5. Sustainable Commitment
CEOS P-VC Agencies
Active: NASA, JAXA, NOAA, EUMETSAT
Less Active: CSA/EC, INPE, ISRO, CNES/CNRS
Inactive: ESA, DLR, ROSHYDROMET, NSMC/CMA
The active agencies represent a viable team
Meetings are held every calendar year (workshops with participants and planning meetings with participants) on sidelines of PMMST, CGMS-IPWG meetings, and others, e.g. EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Workshop
Travel funding has constrained some participation as has team availability

6. Proactive Consideration of Plenary and SIT TWS deliverables and discussion items
None proposed
Several discussion items proposed to SIT Chair for VC/WG Day

7. Back Up

8. Precipitation Virtual Constellation (P-VC)
Background: The CEOS Precipitation Virtual Constellation was established in 2007 with the participation of seven CEOS members as one of the four prototype CEOS Constellations.
Purpose: Its primary role is to establish an international framework to guide, facilitate, and coordinate the continued advancement of multi-satellite global precipitation measurement. Its original purposes included:
Facilitating implementation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission and encouraging more nations to contribute to the GPM constellation
Sustaining and enhancing an accurate and timely global precipitation data record including a Fundamental Climate Data Record fit for the purpose specified by GCOS for the monitoring of Precipitation as an Essential Climate Variable (ECV).

9. P-VC Terms of Reference (ToR) High-level outcomes and deliverables

10. Response to GCOS Action A25 (2016 GCOS IP) - Ensure continuity of global satellite precipitation products
Deliverables
Sustainment and enhancement of constellation of satellites carrying microwave radiometers (both imagers and sounders) and moderate inclination satellite carrying microwave imager and precipitation radar.
Well characterized and stable Level 1B calibrated, geolocated brightness temperature (Tb) products from each PC radiometer.
Inter-calibrated brightness temperature (Tc) products by applying the GPM core observatory reference standard.
Precipitation retrievals using physically based a-priori database constructed from combined radiometer/radar measurement.
Global monthly PDF of precipitation intensity based on the above.