NASA's Recently Launched SMAP Satellite Incorporates Research from ESL

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Satellite that incorporates the remote sensing research results that Dr. Joel Johnson and his group achieved at ESL, was successfully launched on the early morning hours of Saturday, January 31. During its three-year mission, the SMAP Satellite will collect global observations of the vital soil moisture hidden just beneath the ground. With the help of its combined radar and radiometer instruments, SMAP Satellite will scan below Earth's surface of the top 2 inches to expand the understanding of a key component of the Earth system that links the water, energy and carbon cycles driving our living planet. The mission will help improve climate and weather forecasts and allow scientists to monitor droughts and better predict flooding caused by severe rainfall or snowmelt -- information that can save lives and property.

Click here to visit ECE's website and to read an article that features an interview with ESL graduate students, Jeffrey Ouellette, Mustafa Aksoy and postdoctoral researcher, Alexandra Bringer on the SMAP satellite launch and their research.

Go to NASA's website to watch the successful launch of the SMAP Satellite and read the most recent news on SMAP. 

NASA launch video: http://youtu.be/uHStsxlqwK8

NASA SMAP news: http://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/january/nasa-launches-groundbreaking-soi…