Project Number: 1265-13610-027-51
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Nov 10, 2005
End Date: Mar 31, 2008

Objective:
Research including preliminary satellite analysis have demonstrated that soil moisture can be retrieved from low frequency passive microwave radiometer data. However, there is a spatial scale discrepancy between ground based and satellite observing systems. Algorithms must be modified and implemented for satellite applications. Previous investigations have been exploratory, with the availability of new satellite observing systems it is now feasible to move toward an operational soil moisture product.

Approach:
A soil moisture algorithm has been implemented as one of a suite of research algorithms by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. The algorithm will be tested and validated using AMSR data collected by the NASA AQUA satellite mission and ADEOS-II satellite. Data from insitu sensors and field experiments will be used for validation. Pending the algorithms performance it will be implemented to produce daily global soil moisture products.