Abstract
The TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) observatory has been observing global rainfalls since December 1997. NASA and JAXA once decided in June 2004 to terminate the operation of the TRMM and to perform the controlled re-entry in the very near future. However, NASA and JAXA notified TRMM science teams of both USA and Japan to extend the mission of the TRMM without performing the controlled re-entry on 30 September, 2005. It is expected that TRMM will be able to continue to observe tropical rainfall until September 2009, with possible additional extension after another senior review, allowing for a possible overlap with GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) mission. The present status of the TRMM observatory is introduced.
