Why do some TRMM and GPM products contain empty granules?

[GES DISC - ingridgs]

Answer:
Empty data granules, and data gaps, are often associated with anomalous events occurring either in the operation of the spacecraft or in the operation of the Earth-observing instruments on the satellite.

These events are listed in the following links:

TRMM: https://gpmweb2https.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/tsdis/AB/docs/anomalous.html

GPM: https://gpmweb2https.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/tsdis/AB/docs/gpm_anomalous.html

Partner Satellites: https://gpmweb2https.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/tsdis/AB/docs/partner_anomalous.html