The Dirt on Earth's Dirt
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission is designed to study the moisture content of the entire Earth's topsoil like never before. The results, scientists say, could help predict droughts, flooding and other weather events. Read the full launch story. See photos from the SMAP observatory's Jan. 31, 2015 launch and beyond in our gallery here.
Liftoff!
NASA's dirt-tracking SMAP satellite launches spaceward on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at 6:22 a.m. PST (9:22 a.m. EST/1422 GMT) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Jan. 31, 2015. Read the full launch story.
SMAP's Spreads Its Wings
Like some sort of cosmic bird, NASA's SMAP observatory unfolds its winglike solar arrays after successfully separating from its Delta II rocket following its Jan. 31, 2015 launch. Read the full launch story.
A Rocket Streak Before Sunrise
NASA photographer Bill Ingalls captured this long exposure view of SMAP's launch as the mission's Delta II rocket streaked over Vandenberg Air Force Base in California while photographers and observers looked on. Read the full launch story.
SMAP Satellite Launch
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite launches into space atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in a predawn launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Jan. 31, 2015. Read the full launch story.
Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission will track Earth's water into one of its last hiding places: the soil. Soil moisture data from SMAP will aid in predictions of agricultural productivity, weather and climate.
Delta II Rocket, SMAP
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (SMAP) sits atop this United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The first launch attempt on Jan. 29, 2015, was scrubbed due to high winds.
SMAP Lifted For Mating to Delta II
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, satellite rises for mating to its Delta II rocket At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Image released Jan. 13, 2015.
SMAP Mated to Delta II Rocket
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP, satellite undergoes mating to its Delta II rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Image released Jan. 13, 2015.
SMAP Undergoes Inspection
Engineers and technicians inspect NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (SMAP) satellite at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Image released Jan. 8, 2015.
SMAP Lifted Up
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission satellite moves up the side of a mobile service tower in order to mate with its Delta II rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Image released Jan. 21, 2015.
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