NASA Headquarters, Code YS, Washington, DC 20546 Attn:YS/Dr. Ramesh Kakar

A -- NASA-NASDA JOINT RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT SOL NRA-96-MTPE-06--JRA-96-001 POC Dr. Ramesh Kakar tel: 202/358-0240 NASA-NASDA Joint Research Announcement NRA-96-MTPE-06--JRA-96-001 POC Dr. Ramesh Kakar, tel: 202-358-0240. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan intend to solicit scientific investigations as part of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The primary objective of TRMM is to make space observations that will significantly enhance our knowledge of rainfall and the associated latent heat release throughout the Earth's tropical latitudes to meet the established scientific goals of the mission. Specifically, this Research Announcement solicits proposals directed toward the 3-year flight portion of the mission which begins in 1997. This solicitation includes proposals for (1) validation of TRMM rainfall products, (2) for improving the precipitation retrievals by developing algorithms that work better than those already in place for launch, and (3) for using the TRMM products in multi-scale modeling, analyses, initialization, or improvement of large-scale weather and climate models. Goals also include understanding the effects of rainfall on the upper ocean and its role in the hydrological cycle over land. TRMM is an approved joint program of the United States and Japan. It is a facility satellite that will provide research observational data. New proposals, as well as renewal proposals for expiring tasks, are desired for all of these areas. This solicitation is open to all categories of organizations, foreign and domestic. U.S. proposals must be submitted to NASA. However, foreign nationals may submit proposals either to NASA or to NASDA. Foreign nationals that propose to NASA must obtain their funding support from within their own country. Complete proposal preparation and submission guidance for all proposals either in the U.S. (NASA) or Japan (NASDA) are contained in the NASA-NASDA Joint Research Announcement available electronically on the release date, via the Internet at the Mission to Planet Earth ''Home Page'' at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/mtpe under ''MTPE Research Announcements'' or via anonymous ftp at ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/mtpe. A paper copy will be available to those who do not have access to Internet by calling (202) 358-3552 and leaving a voice mail message. This Announcement will be open for the period from August 7, 1996, through October 22, 1996, and proposals may be submitted at any time throughout that period. (0200)

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