Earth observation satellite data processing for GPM/DPR

JAXA Supercomputer System Annual Report February 2025-January 2026

Report Number: R25ER0200

Subject Category: Space Technology

Responsible Representative: Tomomi Nio, Deputy Director for Mission Operations Systems, Satellite Applications and Operations Center (SAOC)
Contact Information: GPM Mission Operation Operator(GPM-MOS@ml.jaxa.jp)
Members: Gennosuke Kikuchi, Akira Yamauchi, Tomohiko Higashiuwatoko, Kazuhiro Sakamoto, Takeshi Masaki, Hisashi Tanaka

Abstract

In recent years, worldwide interest has been increasing about the necessity of grasping the global environmental change. To deal with such problems, various approaches using observation technology from space have been carried out by satellites.

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, as follow-on and expansion of Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) satellite, is an international mission to achieve highly accurate and frequent global rainfall observation. it is carried with multiple satellite, GPM core satellite with Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) jointly developed by JAXA and NICT, and with GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) developed by NASA, and another constellation satellites with Microwave Imager. In addition, GSMaP (Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation), which estimates global precipitation distribution based on data acquired by these GPM core satellites and constellation satellites, is available.

Long-term data accumulation is important to understand global environmental changes, and it is necessary to ensure continuity of data from the TRMM, which operated from 1997 to 2015, the GPM, which is currently in operation.

Reference URL

Please refer to https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/GPM/en/index.html .

Reasons and benefits of using JAXA Supercomputer System

Processing of earth observation data includes "operational processing" performed routinely and "re-processing" performed once a year or so for several year data. The purpose of re-processing is to correspond with version-up of computing model and algorithm performed periodically. The amount of observation data grows year by year. Then, we need more and more time to complete reprocessing of all archived observation data. By using supercomputers, the calculation time is greatly shortened, and it is possible to provide products quickly to users.

In addition, the frequency of re-processing is about once a few years, so the necessary period of computer resource for re-processing is limited. If this computer resource is prepared independently, it is inefficient in terms of the computer utilization. The advantage of using JSS3 is that it allows for relatively flexible allocation of shared computer resources when needed. Furthermore, JSS can be used as a remote storage location for master data that cannot be lost.

Achievements of the Year

GPM/DPR product algorithm was improved and implemented GPM Mission Operation System in March 2026. While routine processing has begun, reprocessing of historical observation data (*) using JSS is scheduled to start in FY2026. As preparation for this, in FY2025, we implemented OS upgrade support for JSS3 in the JSS3 workflow control tool used for reprocessing.

*Planned reprocessing data

GPM/DPR product for 12 years data, approx 439TB.

TRMM/PR product for 16 years data, approx 199TB.

In addition, we archived GPM and auxiliary data to J-SPACE (298 GB) as disaster recovery.

Publications

N/A

Usage of JSS

Computational Information

Process Parallelization Methods: N/A
Thread Parallelization Methods: N/A
Number of Processes: 1
Elapsed Time per Case: 0.01 Second(s)

JSS3 Resources Used

Fraction of Usage in Total Resources*1(%): 0.02

Details

Please refer to System Configuration of JSS3 for the system configuration and major specifications of JSS3.

Computational Resources
System Name	CPU Resources Used (Core x Hours)	Fraction of Usage*2(%)
TOKI-SORA	0.00	0.00
TOKI-ST	54426.07	0.06
TOKI-GP	0.00	0.00
TOKI-XM	0.00	0.00
TOKI-LM	0.00	0.00
TOKI-TST	0.00	0.00
TOKI-TGP	0.00	0.00
TOKI-TLM	0.00	0.00

File System Resources
File System Name	Storage Assigned (GiB)	Fraction of Usage*2(%)
/home	0.00	0.00
/data and /data2	102400.00	0.67
/ssd	0.00	0.00

Archiver Resources
Archiver Name	Storage Used (TiB)	Fraction of Usage*2(%)
J-SPACE	153.16	0.47

*1: Fraction of Usage in Total Resources: Weighted average of three resource types (Computing, File System, and Archiver).

*2: Fraction of Usage：Percentage of usage relative to each resource used in one year.

ISV Software Licenses Used

ISV Software Licenses Resources
	ISV Software Licenses Used (Hours)	Fraction of Usage*2(%)
ISV Software Licenses (Total)	0.00	0.00

*2: Fraction of Usage：Percentage of usage relative to each resource used in one year.