Earth’s Forests: First Images from Space Umbrella
- The European Space Agency's (ESA) Biomass satellite, a collaborative project involving aerospace giants and startups, has released its initial images of Earth.
- Equipped with a first-of-its-kind P-band radar,Biomass orbits at approximately 666 kilometers,gathering raw data transmitted to the Kiruna ground station in Sweden.
- Airbus built the P-band radar instrument, which uses long wavelengths to penetrate dense canopies and reach the woody structures where most forest carbon is stored.
The ESA’s Biomass satellite, equipped with advanced P-band radar, has beamed back its first images, offering unprecedented detail in forest carbon mapping.Launched in April, this primarykeyword mission uses a unique umbrella-shaped antenna to penetrate dense forest canopies, revealing critical data on carbon storage. The resulting 3D maps are vital for understanding secondarykeyword impact and global climate change. spacebel’s innovative MAAP platform grants worldwide access to the data. News Directory 3 reports live from the cutting edge. The satellite’s mission considerably boosts our understanding. Discover what’s next for this enterprising project.
Biomass Satellite Sends First Carbon Mapping Images from Space
Updated June 23, 2025
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass satellite, a collaborative project involving aerospace giants and startups, has released its initial images of Earth. Launched in April from Kourou, French Guiana, aboard a Vega-C rocket, the satellite aims to provide the most detailed measurements of forest carbon ever obtained from space. European Astrotech, a UK startup, fueled the satellite.
Equipped with a first-of-its-kind P-band radar,Biomass orbits at approximately 666 kilometers,gathering raw data transmitted to the Kiruna ground station in Sweden. This data is then processed into biomass density maps and forest height models.The goal of the Biomass mission is to improve understanding of forest changes and their impact on the global carbon cycle, a critical aspect of climate change.
Airbus built the P-band radar instrument, which uses long wavelengths to penetrate dense canopies and reach the woody structures where most forest carbon is stored. Beyond forests, the satellite can map subsurface geology in deserts, ice sheet structures, and forest floor topography, expanding its role in environmental observation.
Belgian tech firm Spacebel designed the Multi-Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform (MAAP), which allows scientists worldwide to access and analyze Biomass data in the cloud. This eliminates the need for massive downloads or complex infrastructure management, streamlining the research process for global biomass studies.
The satellite’s umbrella-shaped antenna, constructed by L3Harris, directs radar pulses to the forests below. The returning signals are captured and redirected to the satellite,where onboard systems create detailed 3D maps of global biomass and landscape features. This detailed carbon mapping is crucial for understanding climate change.