Project Number: 1265-13610-027-13
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jun 01, 2008
End Date: May 31, 2011

Objective:
The goal of this project is to provide the scientific basis for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite that NASA will launch in 2013. SMAP will provide global high resolution soil moisture for applications in climate, hydrology, and agriculture. In the initial phase of the project, baseline retrieval methodologies need to be developed along with approaches to their validation.

Approach:
Based on previous research, there are several candidate retrieval algorithms that could be implemented for SMAP. These will be evaluated using at least two approaches; numerical simulations and field experiments. An algorithm testbed will be developed for algorithm intercomparison and field campaigns will be conducted using tower and aircraft based instrumentation. Data from the European satellite SMOS (to be launched in 2008) can be used to simulate a portion of SMAP¿s capabilities. Research will include the extensive evaluation of this new data source, in cooperation with the SMOS program.