Root Zone Soil Moisture (RZSM) Estimates Using VHF (240-270 MHZ) Antenna for SoOp (Signal of Opportunity) Receiver for 6U CubeSat Platforms

Abstract:

The main goal of this research is to develop VHF antennas for 6U Cubesat platforms to enable validation of root zone soil moisture (RZSM) estimation algorithms for signal of opportunity (SoOp) remote sensing over the 240-270 MHz frequency band. This study provides a strong foundation for establishing a path for maturing truly global direct surface soil moisture (SM) and RZSM measurement system over a variety of land covers with limited density restrictions. In SoOp methodology, signals transmitted by already existing transmitters, in this case the Military Satellite Communication (MilSatCom) System’s UHF Follow-On program, are utilized to measure properties of reflecting targets by recording reflected signals using a simple passive microwave receiver.

We developed and will test VHF (240-270 MHz) antenna technology for SoOp receivers for 6U Cubesat platforms and perform measurement of SM and RZSM using the proposed antennas deployed on a ground-based Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) simulator boom truck. We will validate the RZSM and SM estimation algorithms from measured data (where RZSM is defined as the volumetric SM contained in the top 1 m of the soil column).

Knowledge of RZSM up to a depth of 1 m and surface SM up to a depth of 0.05 m on a global scale, at a spatial resolution of 1-10 km through moderate-to-heavy vegetation, is critical to understanding global water resources and the vertical moisture gradient in the Earth’s surface layer which controls moisture interactions between the soil, vegetation, and atmosphere. Current observations of surface SM from space by L-band radiometers and radars are limited to measurements of surface SM up to a depth of ~0.05 m through moderate amounts of vegetation. Developing bi-static reflectometry using VHF geostationary satellite SoOp creates the potential of directly observing SM and RZSM on a truly global basis from a constellation of small satellite-based receivers in low earth orbit. The technique provides the long-wavelength (1.2 m, 5 times larger than existing instruments) needed to remotely sense deeper into the root zone. 

With a temporal resolution of 1 day and a spatial resolution of 1.5 km, the SM information available from the CubeSat constellation would be a valuable data set for many hydrology applications at local to global scales.