Tarendra Lakhankar
PhD

Dr. Lakhankar and the CUNY CREST Institute team are currently participating in NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive Validation Experiment 2019 (SMAPVEX19) to validate the accuracy of NASA’s satellite remote sensing data related to soil moisture. This experiment is being conducted in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Duchess County, New York, and involves an airborne campaign, deploying a temporary in situ network, and physical visitation and sampling to validate the accuracy of satellite-based geophysical products related to soil moisture.

As part of this effort, the CUNY CREST Institute team is deploying a L-band (1.45 GHz) dual polarization microwave radiometer to measure soil and canopy brightness temperature. The collected data will be used to validate the accuracy of satellite-based geophysical products related to soil moisture.

These field campaigns have broad applications in various scientific areas, and the focus is on technology development, validating satellite-based geophysical products, and providing educational experiences for students. The SMAPVEX19 experiment is a collaborative effort between NASA, academia, and industry partners to advance our understanding of soil moisture and its impact on various aspects of the Earth’s system, including the water cycle and weather patterns.

The CUNY CREST Institute team’s involvement in the SMAPVEX19 experiment highlights their commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and providing hands-on educational opportunities for students. By participating in such experiments, students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in a meaningful way.

Overall, the SMAPVEX19 experiment is a significant step forward in advancing our understanding of soil moisture and its impact on the Earth’s system. The collaborative efforts between NASA, academia, and industry partners, including Dr. Lakhankar and the CUNY CREST Institute team, are critical to achieving this goal and providing valuable educational opportunities for students.

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