Soil Moisture Active Passive Observatory Takes to the Skies
A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory onboard is seen in this long exposure photograph as it launches from Space Launch Complex 2, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. SMAP is NASA’s first Earth-observing satellite designed to collect global observations of surface soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. SMAP will provide high resolution global measurements of soil moisture from space. The data will be used to enhance scientists’ understanding of the processes that link Earth’s water, energy, and carbon cycles.
Video: NASA Launches Satellite to Get the Dirt on Earth’s Dirt
Video: Launch of our Soil Moisture Active Passive SMAP observatory
Video: NASA launches Earth-observing satellite helps Measuring Soil Moisture Cycle and floods conditions