ESA poised to launch pioneering Biomass satellite

The satellite, carried aboard a Vega-C rocket, is set to embark on a mission aimed at transforming our understanding of global forests and their role in the carbon cycle.

Developed under ESA’s FutureEO programme, Biomass represents a significant advance in Earth observation. It carries the first P-band synthetic aperture radar ever launched into space – a 70cm wavelength instrument capable of penetrating cloud cover and dense tree canopies to map forest biomass. This includes the woody material, height, and structure of forests around the globe.

ESA’s Biomass Project Manager, Michael Fehringer, said: “After years of innovation and cooperation with the scientific community and the space industry, we’re more than excited to see the satellite ready for launch. This new mission will advance our ability to quantify forest carbon stocks and fluxes, which is key to understanding and assessing the impacts of climate change.

“… We will bid a fond farewell to our satellite as it embarks on its journey to begin a new chapter in orbit – where its real work begins.”

The radar’s ability to deliver consistent, detailed data regardless of weather or daylight conditions is expected to improve estimates of carbon storage and reveal how forest ecosystems evolve over time. This will help scientists track the impacts of environmental change and inform climate policy.

Beyond forest monitoring, the Biomass radar is capable of secondary observations including subsurface geology in arid zones, ice sheet structure analysis, and mapping forest floor topography – broadening its potential scientific contributions.

At ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany, teams have completed rehearsals and final checks, including procedures for deploying the satellite’s distinctive 12-metre umbrella-like reflector antenna. The complex configuration of the satellite means its launch and initial orbital phase are expected to take longer than usual.

Images courtesy of ESA/ATG medialab