ESSIC Associate Research Scientist Charon Birkett was awarded a new research grant under the NASA Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Program Division. Birkett also received the renewal of an existing Research and Applications grant, under the NASA Water Resources/Drought Program Division.
At the center of the studies is the instrument’s ability to monitor the changing surface water levels in the world’s largest lakes and reservoirs, for water resources and climate change considerations.
Application of the data set in support of pre-launch activities of the forthcoming NASA SWOT mission (2020) are also being considered, with a view to additionally estimate reservoir water storage and river discharge. The project is being undertaken by the University of Washington in collaboration with ESSIC/UMD, within the NASA MEASURES program.