On January 30th, NASA successfully launched the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base, on its mission to provide global measurements of soil moisture. A key feature of the spacecraft is the first application of the new AstroMesh-Lite reflector, produced by Astro Aerospace, a Northrop Grumman (NOC) company.

This ultralight and extremely stiff reflector is ideally suited for high frequency communications and radar applications. Upon deployment, the reflector will help the satellite collect data while spinning atop the spacecraft on-orbit at nearly 15 revolutions per minute.

SMAP data will improve weather and climate prediction models by increasing our understanding of the processes that link Earth's water, energy and carbon cycles.

In addition to soil moisture levels, SMAP also will identify frozen or thawed water, which will be used to detect changes in growing season length to help scientists better understand how much carbon plants absorb from the atmosphere each year. SMAP data will also be used to improve flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities.

"SMAP will provide critical data about the state of our planet, helping people better prepare for strong weather conditions and different growing seasons. Ultra-lightweight technology is critical to meet the demanding requirements of this mission and it is an honor to have participated with the NASA/JPL team on such an important project," said John A. Alvarez, General Manager of Astro Aerospace.

As the satellite orbits Earth, the mesh reflector, which deploys and expands to a 20-foot aperture, will provide a conically scanning antenna beam of approximately 40 degrees or a swath of 621 miles for total global mapping every 2-3 days.

In spite of the complexities of the mission, the SMAP reflector weighs only 56 pounds. The extremely stiff boom, which deploys the reflector into position and reduces deflections caused by the spin rate, weighs 55 pounds. With the remaining launch restraint equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds, the entire system totals a mere 127 pounds.

The SMAP observatory launched today to a 426-mile near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit, with equator crossings at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Boom deployment will begin 16 days after launch and the reflector will be fully deployed on day 20. SMAP is designed to operate for a minimum of three years. SMAP is managed for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.