NASA’s New Focus: Monitoring Soil Moisture on Earth

While NASA is widely recognized for its space exploration efforts, the agency is now turning its attention to Earth’s soil. In a groundbreaking initiative, NASA’s SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) mission aims to monitor soil moisture levels worldwide over the next three years.

By capturing images of the top 5 cm of soil from a satellite every 2-3 days, SMAP will gather crucial data about the health of the soil where vegetation and food crops grow. This research will help scientists better understand the connections between water, energy, and carbon cycles, while also enhancing weather predictions and flood forecasts.

Understanding Soil’s Role in Climate and Weather

The SMAP mission, launched in response to the National Research Council’s Earth Science Committee recommendations, promises to revolutionize our knowledge of global soil moisture.

By distinguishing between frozen and thawed water, as well as tracking surface and subsurface water, the project will create a global map of soil moisture.

These findings will deepen our understanding of both the water and carbon cycles, crucial components of Earth’s climate system. The ultimate goal is to use this data to better manage environmental challenges, such as climate change, and improve weather forecasting and flood prediction.