 The combination of satellite-based passive and active microwave sensors has the potential to improve global estimates of surface soil moisture by rescaling and merging the different products using a cumulative distribution function matching approach. This method can be applied to existing and new microwave satellites, enhancing our understanding of the role of soil moisture in the water, energy, and carbon cycles. This article was authored by Y.Y. Lu, our M.Parenusa, W.A.Jarago, and others.