UTAR collaborates with NASA on SMAP Calibration and Validation Programme

UTAR achieved a significant milestone in fostering research collaboration with NASA through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 14 October 2024. Signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, the MoU establishes a partnership focused on the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Calibration and Validation Programme, marking a key achievement in UTAR’s research efforts in environmental science and technology.

The collaboration involves a comprehensive exchange of resources and expertise to enhance soil moisture monitoring and calibration. NASA will provide soil moisture and vegetation sensors for UTAR’s in-situ network and offer access to preliminary SMAP science data products prior to their public release through the National Snow and Ice Data Centre.

In addition, NASA will support UTAR in site design, installation, data processing, and data quality evaluation while facilitating scientific meetings, workshops, and joint research initiatives using soil moisture datasets.

On the other hand, UTAR will install and operate in-situ sites equipped with NASA-provided sensors, supply data collected from these sites to NASA, and participate in the scientific meetings and workshops organised by the SMAP science team.

The implementation of this collaboration began with fieldwork conducted in Malaysia, involving key representatives from both organisations. From 13 to 27 October 2024, a team of NASA researchers, namely Dr Simon Yueh, Dr Andreas Colliander, and Dr Rajat Bindish worked alongside UTAR researchers on the installation of advanced dataloggers at selected sites.

On 15 October 2024, three dataloggers were installed in Ayer Tawar, Perak, in collaboration with Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd (AARSB). Subsequently, on 23 and 24 October 2024, another set of three dataloggers was installed in the paddy fields of Sungai Besar, Selangor, in partnership with the Integrated Agricultural Development Area Barat Laut Selangor. These installations will serve as critical points for collecting in-situ soil moisture data, enabling the calibration of NASA’s SMAP satellite observations.

The project at UTAR is led by Dr Toh Chia Ming, Assistant Professor from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science. Dr Toh emphasised the importance of this collaboration in providing UTAR students and researchers with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge environmental science research while contributing to global efforts in climate monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices.

This partnership signifies a shared commitment to leveraging advanced technology and expertise to address pressing environmental challenges. By collaborating on SMAP data and soil moisture monitoring, UTAR and NASA are fostering international scientific cooperation and driving innovation in environmental research.

From left: Dr Simon Yueh, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Dr Andreas Colliander, Dr Rajat Bindish and Dr Toh

UTAR and NASA together with AARSB team after completion of sensors installation

Installation of sensors on an oil palm tree

Sensor and datalogger installation on paddy field in Sungai Besar