SeaWiFS is producing data at a rate unequaled in the history of oceanographic remote sensing, providing scientists with a nearly comprehensive global view of the oceans. Another part of the quest to study the Earth is measuring rainfall. Rainfall is perhaps the most important factor in defining climate. Excess rainfall can cause flooding and enormous property and crop damage. On the other hand, a lack of rainfall means droughts and crop failure.
Rainfall is also a major source of energy that drives the circulation of the atmosphere.
Surprisingly, tropical rainfall comprises more than two-thirds of global rainfall. TRMM is the first mission dedicated to measuring tropical and subtropical rainfall through microwave and visible infrared sensors, and includes the first spaceborne rain radar. These new measurements will increase our knowledge of how rainfall releases heat energy to drive atmospheric circulation. Multi-year science data sets yielded by TRMM will be vastly more informative than any now available. Additional satellites built for studying the Earth are soon to follow.