Skip Navigation
menu close modan

Cal/Val Partners

SMAP Project partnered with investigators across the world to provide accurate validation data to ensure the quality of the SMAP data products. The table below lists the sites and the figure shows their locations.

SMAP Cal/Val Partner Sites
SMAP Cal/Val Partner Sites (click to enlarge)

The soil moisture provided by SMAP is compared to these sites. The matchup data sets between SMAP and the site observations is available through the NSIDC here.

Table: List of SMAP Cal/Val Partner sites

Map Site Name Country Lat Lon Investigator ID
BV Bell Ville Argentina -32.54 -62.61 Marc Thibeault 1901
MB Monte Buey Argentina -32.96 -62.52 Marc Thibeault 1902
YC Yanco Australia -34.80 146.11 Jeffrey Walker 0701
KY Kyeamba Australia -35.35 147.52 Jeffrey Walker 0702
HO HOAL Austria 48.2 15.07 Wouter Dorigo 0601
BN AMMA-Catch-Benin Benin 9.79 1.68 Thierry Pellarin 4502
CR Carman Canada 49.62 -97.98 Heather McNairn 0901
CS Casselman Canada 45.47 -74.73 Heather McNairn 0902
KN Kenaston Canada 50.45 -106.38 Aaron Berg 2701
BR BERMS Canada 53.89 -104.70 Aaron Berg 2705
AL Alberta Canada 56.85 -115.35 Laura Bourgeau-Chavez 7101
HB HOBE Denmark 55.97 9.1 Karsten Jensen 6701
SO Sodankyla Finland 67.37 26.65 Jouni Pulliainen 1701
SA Saariselka Finland 67.97 24.12 Jouni Pulliainen 1702
TR TERENO Germany 50.50 6.33 Carsten Montzka 0201
TW Twente Holland 52.27 6.67 Zhongbo Su 1204
BB Berambadi India 11.75 76.58 Bimal Battacharya 4201
EU EURAC Italy 46.68 10.59 Claudia Notarnicola 4401
KW Kuwait Kuwait 29.30 47.33 Hala Al Jassar 0501
MX Tabasco Mexico 17.93 -92.84 Judith Ramos Hernandez 3201
MH Mongolian Grasslands Mongolia 46.13 106.74 Jun Asanuma 5301
NI AMMA-Catch-Niger Niger 13.58 2.66 Thierry Pellarin 4501
RM REMEDHUS Spain 41.30 -5.40 Jose Martinez-Frenandez 0301
VA Valencia Spain 39.57 -1.29 Ernesto Lopez-Baeza 4101
NQ Naqu Tibet 31.37 91.88 Zhongbo Su 1201
MQ Maqu Tibet 33.88 102.13 Zhongbo Su 1202
NG Ngari Tibet 32.50 79.97 Zhongbo Su 1203
TN Tunisia Tunisia 35.45 9.88 Mehrez Zribi 0801
TX TxSON USA (Texas) 30.50 -98.50 Todd Caldwell 4801
SW Sagwon USA (Alaska) 69.44 -148.66 Laura Bourgeau-Chavez 7102
WG Walnut Gulch USA (Arizona) 31.72 -110.68 Chandra Holifield Collins 1601
TZ Tonzi Ranch USA (California) 38.43 -120.97 Mahta Moghaddam 2501
LR Little River USA (Georgia) 31.64 -83.65 David Bosch 1604
RC Reynolds Creek USA (Idaho) 43.18 -116.75 Mark Seyfried 0401
SJ St Josephs USA (Indiana) 41.45 -85.011 Stan Livingston 1606
SF South Fork USA (Iowa) 42.44 -93.44 John Prueger 1607
HF Harvard Forest USA (Massachusetts) 42.54 -72.17 Michael Cosh 2602
NY Millbrook USA (New York) 41.78 -73.73 Michael Cosh 2601
LW Little Washita USA (Oklahoma) 34.97 -97.97 Patrick Starks 1602
FC Fort Cobb USA (Oklahoma) 35.36 -98.55 Patrick Starks 1603

You Might Also Like

Results of a study reveal that SMAP soil moisture retrievals are generally better than AMSR2 soil moisture data.
More
Soil moisture products acquired from passive satellite missions have been widely applied in environmental processes.
Validation Analysis of SMAP Products Using Ground-Based Measurements
NASA scientists are auditioning the radar aboard a European satellite to see how well it stands in for the radar that failed aboard the U.S. space agency’s newly launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite in July.
More
NASA scientists are auditioning the radar aboard a European satellite to see how well it stands in for the radar that broke down aboard the U.S. space agency’s newly launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite in July.
NASA Focused on Sentinel as Replacement for SMAP Radar
SMAP data provide another way to see flooding in South Carolina.
More
SMAP data provide another way to see flooding in South Carolina.
Devastating Carolina Floods Viewed by NASA's SMAP
SMAP’s radiometer, which measures temperatures on Earth’s surface, can do more than previously thought, and the spacecraft remains healthy, scientists say.
More
SMAP’s radiometer, which measures temperatures on Earth’s surface, can do more than previously thought, and the spacecraft remains healthy, scientists say.
Scientists Hopeful About SMAP After Loss of Radar
Discovery Channel features students exploring Mount Kilimanjaro. They will learn about collecting environmental data on the mountain’s six biomes and meet a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist to discuss the SMAP Mission, a satellite that measures the Earth’s soil moisture.
More
Discovery Channel features students exploring Mount Kilimanjaro and learning about SMAP.
Students Learn About SMAP during Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition
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.
More
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.
Dara Entekhabi Is Recipient of 2015 Hydrologic Sciences Award
NASA's SMAP satellite observatory conducted a field experiment as part of its soil moisture data product validation program in southern Arizona.
More
NASA's SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) satellite observatory conducted a field experiment as part of its soil moisture data product validation program in southern Arizona on Aug. 2-18, 2015.
SMAPVEX 15 Field Campaign Measures Soil Moisture Over Arizona
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.
More
Known as the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite mission, the research will help scientists understand links among Earth’s water, energy and carbon cycles.
NASA and SciStarter Enlist Citizen Scientists to Examine Soil Moisture
News from the fourth Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAPEx-4) field campaign, carried out in Yanco, NSW, Australia, from May 1-23, 2015. This field experiment is part of the CalVal activities for the NASA SMAP mission.
More
Notes from the Field
Notes from the Field
NASA-funded study finds that Texas’ historic rainfall and resulting soil moisture could strengthen a storm moving inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
More
NASA-funded study finds that Texas’ historic rainfall and resulting soil moisture could strengthen a storm moving inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
'Brown Ocean' Effect May Bedevil Soggy Texas as Storm Nears
An assessment of surface soil moisture is necessary for applications such as weather forecasting, climate change modeling, monitoring of agricultural productivity, water resources management, drought prediction, flood area mapping, and ecosystem health monitoring.
More
he SMAP observatory separated from the upper stage 57 minutes after liftoff, and solar arrays opened one minute after separation.
Mission to Monitor Soil Moisture with Active-Passive Remote Sensing
“We’re entering the golden age of satellite missions for water,” says Jay Famiglietti, NASA’s senior water scientist. His research team is mapping the dwindling water supply of the drought-gripped western United States.
More
“We’re entering the golden age of satellite missions for water,” says Jay Famiglietti, NASA’s senior water scientist.
California Has No Idea How Much Water It Has Left; NASA Can Help
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.
More
SMAP’s measurements will help scientists to understand the circulation of water and carbon.
SMAP Will Help Scientists Understand Circulation of Water and Carbon
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.
More
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.
NASA Soil Moisture Mission Produces First Global Maps
Kent Kellogg will be the featured speaker May 11 when the La Cañada Flintridge Coordinating Council holds its annual Les Tupper Awards ceremony in von Karman Auditorium at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The event begins at 7 p.m.
More
SMAP Manager to Join Tupper Awards
SMAP Manager to Join Tupper Awards
The 20-foot (6-meter) "golden lasso" reflector antenna atop NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory is now ready to wrangle up high-resolution global soil moisture data.
More
SMAP's spinning antenna sweeps out a wide swath to map soil moisture.
It's 'full spin ahead' for soil moisture mapper
Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, have commanded the 20-foot (6-meter) reflector antenna on NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory to begin spinning for the first time. The partial spin-up is a key step before science operations.
More
NASA's New Soil Moisture Mapper Goes for a Spin
NASA's New Soil Moisture Mapper Goes for a Spin
NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory has successfully completed a two-day test of its science instruments. The observatory's radar and radiometer instruments were successfully operated for the first time.
More
NASA's Soil Moisture Mapper Takes First 'SMAPshots'
NASA's Soil Moisture Mapper Takes First 'SMAPshots'
Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, today sent commands to unfurl the massive 20-foot-wide (6-meter) reflector antenna on NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observator. The deployment of the mesh reflector antenna, which supports the collection of SMAP's radar and radiometer instrument measurements in space, marks a key milestone in commissioning the satellite. S
More
SMAP Completes Key Milestone
SMAP Completes Key Milestone
Over the past 12 months NASA has added five missions to its orbiting Earth-observing fleet – the biggest one-year increase in more than a decade. NASA scientists will discuss early observations from the new missions and their current status during a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 26.
More
NASA Briefing to Highlight Early Results from New Earth Science Missions
NASA Briefing to Highlight Early Results from New Earth Science Missions
NASA's SMAP has successfully separated from the Delta II rocket off the east coast of Africa, and engineers have successfully established communication with the spacecraft.
More
NASA Launches Groundbreaking Soil Moisture Mapper
NASA Launches Groundbreaking Soil Moisture Mapper
A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory onboard launches from Space Launch Complex 2, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. S
More
We have liftoff!
We have liftoff!
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (SMAP) now is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California at 6:20 a.m. PST (9:20 a.m. EST) Saturday, Jan. 31, on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. NASA Television coverage of the launch will begin at 4 a.m. PST (7 a.m. EST).
More
Launch of NASA Soil Moisture Mapping Mission Set for Saturday
Launch of NASA Soil Moisture Mapping Mission Set for Saturday
This is a wonderful infographic brought to you by Space.com.
More
How NASA's Soil Moisture Satellite Works (Infographic)
How NASA's Soil Moisture Satellite Works (Infographic)
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory is perched on the pad at Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2), and is set to launch Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6:20 a.m. PST (9:20 a.m. EST) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket will carry SMAP into orbit. The launch window lasts three minutes.
More
NASA's SMAP Earth Mission Awaits Launch
NASA's SMAP Earth Mission Awaits Launch
Precipitation and temperature are part of every weather forecast. Precipitation comes from clouds, clouds are formed of airborne water vapor, and vapor comes from evaporating soil moisture -- so soil moisture governs precipitation.
More
Building a Better Weather Forecast? SMAP May Help
Building a Better Weather Forecast? SMAP May Help
NASA doesn’t study just the stars and planets; it is also concerned with the soil beneath your feet. Studying the moisture in the top two inches of the soil from space with a satellite named "SMAP" can help weather forecasters predict flash floods, farmers grow more crops, and communities plan for drought.
More
NASA's Earth Minute: Dishing the DIrt
NASA's Earth Minute: Dishing the DIrt
NASA held a media briefing at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST) Thursday, Jan. 8, at NASA Headquarters in Washington to discuss the upcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission.
More
NASA Previews SMAP Launch
NASA Previews SMAP Launch
Scheduled for launch on Jan. 29, 2015, NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) instrument will measure the moisture lodged in Earth's soils with an unprecedented accuracy and resolution. The instrument's three main parts are a radar, a radiometer and the largest rotating mesh antenna ever deployed in space.
More
SMAP Artist's Rendering of Instrument
Technology Innovations Spin NASA's SMAP into Space
SMAP will allow for improved weather forecasts that will upgrade predictions for heat stress and virus-spreading rates. In short, SMAP will allow policy makers to plan farther ahead into the future.
More
SMAP Artist's Rendering
New NASA satellite should help scientists better predict rain, drought
SMAP will be working with the Texas Soil Observation Network to help water managers in Texas.
More
How Underground Sensors In Texas Will Help NASA Predict Drought and Floods
How Underground Sensors In Texas Will Help NASA Predict Drought and Floods
NASA’s innovative soil moisture mapper, a new environmental satellite launching in January, has been fueled up for blastoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
More
Artist's Rendering of SMAP Instrument
Soil moisture mapper fueled for January launch
The Latest Images
More
Today's Map
Latest from SMAP
The launch of NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory has been delayed to a targeted launch date of Jan. 31, pending completion of minor repairs to the United Launch Alliance Delta II launch vehicle.
More
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.
More
NASA SMAP Images Show Progression of Spring Thaw in Northern Hemisphere
NASA SMAP Images Show Progression of Spring Thaw in Northern Hemisphere
NASA celebrated the 45th annual Earth Day April 17-22 with a variety of live and online activities to engage the public in the Agency's mission to better understand and protect our home planet.
More
NASA Celebrates Earth Day with Public Events, Online Activities
NASA Celebrates Earth Day with Public Events, Online Activities
NASA's SMAP and University of Texas scientists are rounding up critical soil information for managing the Lone Star State's limited water.
More
NASA's SMAP and University of Texas scientists are rounding up critical soil information for managing the Lone Star State's limited water.
How Dry Is Texas? SMAP, TxSON Network Aim to Find Out
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.
More
SMAP data show surface soil moisture in the Southeastern United States on Oct. 5, 2015.
Devastating Carolina Floods Viewed by NASA's SMAP