Context:
The Biomass Mission is the seventh Earth Explorer mission of the European Space Agency (ESA), focusing on understanding Earth’s forests and their role in the global carbon cycle.
Key Objectives
- Quantify global forest biomass and carbon content from space.
- Create 3D models of forest structures and monitor biomass changes over time.
- Track carbon flow, both absorption and release, within terrestrial ecosystems.
Organisations Involved
- Lead Agency: European Space Agency (ESA)
- Launch Site: French Guiana
- Launcher: Vega C satellite launch vehicle
- Collaborators: Research institutions across Europe
Key Features of the Biomass Mission
- P-band SAR Radar:
- First satellite to use P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with a 70 cm wavelength
- Allows deep penetration through forest canopies to the ground layer
- 12-metre Deployable Radar Antenna:
- Enables high-resolution scanning of dense tropical and boreal forests
- Carbon Flow Monitoring:
- Helps model carbon absorption and emission patterns, contributing to climate modeling and mitigation strategies
- Global Coverage:
- Observes tropical, temperate, and boreal forests
- Monitors ice sheets, ground terrain, and topographical changes
- Orbit:
- Operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit at 666 km altitude
- Ensures uniform lighting conditions, enhancing data consistency and accuracy
About the Earth Explorer Programme
- A research-driven satellite programme by ESA to investigate Earth’s interacting systems — atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere
- Each mission addresses critical environmental and climate-related questions
Previous Missions
- GOCE (2009–2013): Mapped Earth’s gravity field and ocean circulation
- EarthCARE (May 2024): Studied clouds, aerosols, and radiation balance
