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ESA Launches Biomass Satellite to Transform Understanding of Forest Carbon Dynamics
On April 29, 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its Biomass satellite, aimed at revolutionizing our comprehension of global forests and their integral role in the carbon cycle. The satellite lifted off aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).
Successful Launch and Initial Operations
Just under an hour post-launch, the Biomass satellite successfully detached from the rocket’s upper stage. At 12:28 CEST, ESA’s mission control team in Germany received a crucial signal via the Troll ground station in Antarctica, confirming that Biomass was operational in orbit.
The next few days will involve a detailed ‘launch and early orbit’ phase, during which mission controllers will verify the satellite’s systems. This phase includes complex maneuvers necessary for deploying the satellite’s distinctive 12-metre-wide mesh reflector, supported by a 7.5-metre boom. Following this, Biomass will be fully integrated into ESA’s suite of innovative Earth observation missions.
Mission Objectives and Capabilities
Biomass carries the first P-band synthetic aperture radar designed for space, enabling it to gather vital information about the conditions of forests and their ongoing transformations. The insights obtained will deepen our understanding of forests’ roles within the carbon cycle. Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, expressed her excitement about the mission, stating, “I’d like to extend my congratulations to everyone who has been involved in developing and launching this extraordinary mission. Biomass now joins our esteemed family of Earth Explorers — missions that have consistently delivered groundbreaking discoveries and advanced scientific understanding of our planet.
“With Biomass, we are poised to gain vital new data on how much carbon is stored in the world’s forests, helping to fill key gaps in our knowledge of the carbon cycle and, ultimately, Earth’s climate system.”
Forests: A Critical Component of Earth’s Ecosystem
Forests serve as essential elements in Earth’s carbon cycle, absorbing and storing significant quantities of carbon dioxide, which is crucial for maintaining the planet’s temperature. Referred to as “Earth’s green lungs,” forests absorb about 8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. However, activities such as deforestation and degradation—most notably in tropical zones—are releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
A key challenge for scientists and policymakers lies in the limited availability of precise data on carbon storage in forests and how these figures are evolving due to various factors, including climate change and human land-use practices.
Advanced Technology for Accurate Measurements
Biomass is pioneering as the first satellite to utilize P-band synthetic aperture radar that can penetrate dense forest canopies to assess woody biomass, including trunks, branches, and stems, where the majority of forest carbon resides. These assessments serve as vital indicators of carbon storage, which is the central aim of this mission.
The data generated by Biomass will significantly reduce uncertainties regarding carbon stocks and flux estimates, as well as insights into land-use changes, forest loss, and regeneration.
About Biomass
ESA’s Biomass satellite leverages cutting-edge space technology to unveil new information about forests and their transitions, thereby enhancing our understanding of their critical functions in the carbon cycle and climate dynamics. Its P-band radar can penetrate clouds and forest layers, providing valuable data on forest biomass and height. The insights gained will improve comprehension of habitat loss and its implications for biodiversity. Additionally, the mission facilitates the mapping of subsurface geology in deserts and the topography of forest floors.
The satellite was developed by a consortium of over 50 companies, with leadership provided by Airbus UK.
About the Vega-C Rocket
Europe’s Vega-C rocket can transport payloads up to 3,300 kg into space, including small scientific and Earth observation satellites. The rocket stands 35 meters tall and weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. It employs three solid-propellant stages, followed by a fourth liquid-propellant stage to accurately position satellites into their designated orbits around the Earth. Vega-C represents an evolution in the Vega family of rockets, characterized by enhanced performance, increased payload capacity, and improved competitiveness.
Source
www.esa.int