The Biomass satellite, launched on April 29, 2025, by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus, aims to measure forest carbon storage globally. This innovative satellite uses P-band synthetic aperture radar to penetrate forest canopies, providing crucial data on carbon storage. Here's what you need to know ¹ ²:

- *Mission Objective*: Biomass will deliver unprecedented insights into the world's forests and their role in the carbon cycle, helping scientists understand how forests absorb and store carbon dioxide.

- *Technology*: The satellite's P-band radar can measure trunks and large branches where trees store most of their carbon. However, it needs to be turned off over North America and Europe due to potential interference with reconnaissance satellites.

- *Expected Outcomes*:

- *Improved Carbon Tracking*: Biomass will significantly reduce uncertainties in carbon stock and flux estimates, supporting international treaties like the UN's REDD program.

- *Forest Management*: Data from Biomass will aid in sustainable forest management and ecosystem services, enabling better understanding and predictions of landscape-scale carbon dynamics.

- *Climate Change Mitigation*: By quantifying forest carbon stocks and fluxes, Biomass will help policymakers develop strategies to slow down rapid planetary warming.

- *Mission Details*:

- *Launch Site*: Kourou, French Guiana

- *Launch Vehicle*: Vega-C rocket

- *Orbit*: Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 660 km

- *Mission Duration*: 5 years

- *Impact*: Biomass is expected to advance our understanding of the carbon cycle, support climate change mitigation efforts, and provide critical information for forest resources management and ecosystem services ¹ ³.