The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Awards 2010 to be presented on 19 July during the 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly will give the Jeoujang Jaw Award to Prof. Calvin T. Swift (USA)

The Jeoujang Jaw Award recognizes scientists who have made distinguished pioneering contributions to promoting space research, establishing new space science research branches and founding new exploration programs.

The 2010 Medal is awarded to Dr. Calvin T. Swift.

Dr. Swift received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. degree from the College of William and Mary. Besides the numerous contributions to the field of earth observation of soil moisture and ocean salinity, he is the pioneer of interferometric radiometer techniques for remote sensing, as demonstrated by the Electronically
Steered Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR) in the late 80’s. This technology opened a new window for passive microwave remote sensing that increased the spatial resolution beyond traditional antenna physical aperture limitation. Since his pioneering work this technology has been implemented in many airborne and space missions in Europe, China, and the US. In particular, the SMOS space mission launched last November by ESA which uses this technology has shown the very important future for this new type of instrument. Therefore, Dr. Swift’s pioneering work and early contributions in this field are of significant importance