SMAP's first year of observational data is providing significant surprises that will help in the modeling of climate, forecasting of weather, and monitoring of agriculture around the world.
SMAP is designed to measure the amount of water in the top 5 cm (2 inches) of soil, however it can also be used to estimate the sea surface salinity under normal ocean conditions and may also be used to estimate ocean wind vectors in extreme wind speed events such as tropical cyclones or hurricanes.
NASA SMAP observatory managers have determined its radar can no longer return data, but the mission continues to produce high-quality science with its radiometer instrument.
With the launch of five Earth-observing missions in 2014 -- more Earth-focused launches in a single year in more than a decade -- NASA will be able to deliver even more crucial data to scientists trying to understand our changing planet. Since the agency's inception in 1958, NASA has established itself as a world leader in Earth science and climate studies.