High-resolution soil moisture mapping using operational optical satellite imagery
Soil moisture conditions have an impact upon virtually all aspects of Army activities and are increasingly affecting its
systems and operations. Soil moisture conditions affect operational mobility, detection of landmines and unexploded
ordinance, military engineering activities, blowing dust and sand, watershed responses, and flooding. This study explores
a novel method for high-resolution (2.7 m) soil moisture mapping using remote satellite optical imagery that is readily
available from Landsat and QuickBird. The soil moisture estimations are needed for the evaluation of sensors for
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) using the Countermine Simulation Test Bed in regions where access is denied.
The method has been tested in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, using a Landsat7 and a QuickBird image of April 23 and
24, 2009, respectively. The first implementation of the method yielded promising results.