Photo credit: www.esa.int
ESA’s Biomass Satellite Set for Launch
On 29 April at 11:15 CEST, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Explorer Biomass satellite is scheduled for launch aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission promises to revolutionize our understanding of global forests and their contributions to the carbon cycle.
Biomass will provide essential data by mapping woody material in forests, a critical component in assessments of carbon stocks and fluxes. Michael Fehringer, ESA’s Biomass Project Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the mission, stating, “After years of innovation and cooperation with the scientific community and the space industry, we’re thrilled to see the satellite ready for launch. This new mission will enhance our ability to quantify forest carbon stocks, which is crucial for evaluating climate change impacts.” He added, “Tomorrow, we will bid a fond farewell to our satellite as it begins its mission in orbit.”
Understanding Forests through Innovation
The Biomass satellite carries the unique P-band synthetic aperture radar, the first of its kind in space. This advanced instrument, operating at a 70 cm wavelength, can penetrate clouds and dense canopies, providing detailed insights into forest biomass, height, and structure. The data collected will enhance scientific understanding of carbon storage, forest health, and the dynamics of these ecosystems over time.
In addition to its primary function, the radar has versatile applications, including mapping subsurface geology in arid areas, studying ice sheet structures, and revealing forest floor topography.
A Pioneering Earth Explorer Mission
This mission represents the core goals of the Earth Explorer initiative, part of ESA’s FutureEO program, which aims to address fundamental scientific questions while pioneering innovative space technologies. As the Biomass satellite is secured within its rocket fairing on the launch pad, final preparations are underway—both at the launch site and at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany, where controllers are getting ready to manage the satellite in orbit.
Importantly, the team has conducted rehearsals for the deployment of the satellite’s 12-meter-diameter reflector antenna, a complex operation that will be a distinctive feature of the launch and early orbit phase.
A Milestone in Forest Research
As anticipation builds for the launch, Biomass is poised to provide crucial insights into forest ecosystems, vital to our planet’s health. Viewers can tune in to ESA WebTV to witness the launch live, streaming starts at 10:55 CEST on 29 April.
Source
www.esa.int