The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch an innovative satellite named Biomass. This space-based mission will gather precise information about forest biomass in tropical regions worldwide. Using advanced radar technology, the satellite will scan the structure of forests, providing valuable data on tree trunks, branches, and canopies.
What Is the Purpose of Biomass?
The Biomass mission is designed to produce highly detailed, three-dimensional maps of Earth’s forests, especially in dense and remote areas. The satellite will focus on measuring the size and mass of woody vegetation, which is key for assessing forest biomass and understanding how forests store carbon and evolve over time.
Key goals of the mission include:
- Measuring tree height and structure
- Estimating total forest biomass above ground
- Tracking changes in forested regions
These measurements improve our knowledge of how forests interact with the atmosphere and influence global climate patterns through carbon storage and exchange.
A Breakthrough in Radar Technology
One of the most remarkable features of the Biomass satellite is its use of P-band radar, a long-wavelength system capable of penetrating thick forest canopies. This advanced technology allows the satellite to measure forest biomass deep inside forests, reaching areas where most carbon is stored.
This powerful radar will enable scientists to:
- See through dense vegetation layers
- Map forests in remote and inaccessible regions
- Monitor changes in forest biomass over time
Until now, this type of data could only be collected locally using ground surveys or aircraft. Biomass will make it possible to gather this information globally from space.
The Importance of Measuring Forest Biomass
Forests act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. By capturing carbon, forests improve air quality, limit pollution, and reduce the effects of climate change. Understanding and measuring forest biomass is crucial for studying carbon cycles and monitoring environmental changes.
Forests help by:
- Removing carbon dioxide from the air
- Producing life-sustaining oxygen
- Supporting biodiversity and regulating ecosystems
Past Satellite Initiatives 🌐
Over the past decade, several space missions have monitored Earth’s forests and forest biomass. Earlier satellites used shorter wavelength radars and optical sensors to track deforestation, estimate canopy cover, and measure land use changes. However, their ability to detect biomass beneath thick canopies was limited.
Combining satellite data with ground surveys has improved estimates of global forest biomass, especially in areas affected by logging, wildfires, and urban expansion. These earlier efforts paved the way for more advanced missions like Biomass.
How the Biomass Mission Is Structured
The mission will be divided into two main parts. The first phase will focus on creating detailed 3D images of forest areas worldwide. These maps will reveal the size, height, structure, and total forest biomass — information hard to gather from the ground alone.
In the second phase:
The satellite will generate a series of global maps over several years, showing changes in forest biomass and structure. This will provide insights into how forests respond to climate shifts, deforestation, and environmental pressures.
Launch Timeline and Preparations
The Biomass satellite is scheduled for launch at the end of this month aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s launch facility in French Guiana. After arriving in South America, the satellite underwent inspections to confirm it was in excellent condition after its Atlantic journey.
Final launch preparations include:
- 🛠️ Mechanical and structural checks
- 📋 System tests under launch conditions
- ✅ Confirmation of full mission readiness
If all final tests are successful, Biomass is expected to lift off on .
What the Future Holds
Once operational, Biomass will become an essential tool for monitoring and protecting the world’s forest biomass. The data it collects will help scientists, researchers, and policymakers understand how forests function, store carbon, and change in response to environmental factors.
This mission represents a major step in using space technology to support Earth’s ecosystems and manage the global environment for future generations.