Technologies for the next generation of spaceborne precipitation radars

The precipitation radar (PR) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) has demonstrated the feasibility of measuring rainfall from space. A concept for the next step, the Second Generation Precipitation Radar (PR-2), has been developed. The PR-2 will yield improved capabilities and substantially reduced system mass compared to the TRMM PR. However, implementation of the PR-2 concept depends upon the development of several technologies including membrane antennas with inflatable structure, Ka-band phased arrays and real time digital pulse compression. Development is currently underway in these areas. This paper surveys the technologies for the PR-2 and describes developments in each aforementioned area.