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SMAP 3D Model

Source: NASA Visualization Technology Applications and Development (VTAD)

A 3D interactive model of NASA's SMAP, or Soil Moisture Active Passive, Earth satellite that measures and maps Earth's soil moisture and freeze/thaw state to better understand how water and carbon (in its various forms) circulate.

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NASA Visualization Technology Applications and Development (VTAD)

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&lt;iframe src=&#39;https://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/gltf_embed/99&#39; width=&#39;100%&#39; height=&#39;450px&#39; frameborder=&#39;0&#39; /&gt;

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Dara Entekhabi, the science team leader of NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, was selected by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to receive the 2015 Hydrologic Sciences Award.

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NASA's SMAP satellite observatory conducted a field experiment as part of its soil moisture data product validation program in southern Arizona.

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NASA scientists are on a mission to map global soil moisture, and through SciStarter, they’re teaming up with citizen scientists to gather valuable data from the ground to complement and validate what is seen from space.

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SMAP’s measurements will help scientists to understand the circulation of water and carbon. The carbon cycle has more branches than the water cycle; it transfers from the air, in the form of carbon dioxide, to soil, rocks, surface water and frozen surfaces.

SMAP’s measurements will help scientists to understand the circulation of water and carbon.

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With its antenna spinning at full speed, NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory has successfully re-tested its science instruments and generated its first global maps, a key step to beginning routine science operations.

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This is a wonderful infographic brought to you by Space.com.

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How NASA's Soil Moisture Satellite Works (Infographic)

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SMAP Artist's Rendering of Instrument

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SMAP Artist's Rendering

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Artist's Rendering of SMAP Instrument

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The Latest Images

Today's Map

Latest from SMAP

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SMAP Earth Mission Launch No Earlier than Saturday

SMAP Earth Mission Launch No Earlier than Saturday

Initial data from SMAP capture the 2015 spring thaw progression over the Northern Hemisphere, with a thaw front extending from predominantly non-frozen southern latitudes to the still-frozen north.

NASA SMAP Images Show Progression of Spring Thaw in Northern Hemisphere

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NASA's SMAP and University of Texas scientists are rounding up critical soil information for managing the Lone Star State's limited water.

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SMAP data show surface soil moisture in the Southeastern United States on Oct. 5, 2015 when large-scale flooding was experienced all over South Carolina.

SMAP data show surface soil moisture in the Southeastern United States on Oct. 5, 2015.

Devastating Carolina Floods Viewed by NASA's SMAP