One for the science fans! The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory launched this morning on a ULA Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force base in California. SMAP is NASA’s first Earth-observing satellite designed to observe surface soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. It will provide high resolution global measurements of soil moisture from space. The data will be used to enhance scientists' understanding of the processes that link Earth's water, energy, and carbon cycles. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls #SMAP #space #science #earthrightnow #launch #longexposure #NASA