The UK-Built ESA Biomass Satellite Will Launch This Month To Map Forests In 3D

A few years ago we reported that the ESA Biomass satellite was under development by Airbus UK in its space facility in Stevenage, England. After years of development, this satellite is preparing to launch into space later this month, when it’ll kick off its five-year mission of 3D mapping dense forests worldwide.

3D Mapping The World’s Most Dense And Remote Tropical Forests

Global warming is a real issue as we have come to observe various concerning changes in the world’s climate over the past years. The ESA Biomass satellite which is preparing to launch this month, aims to track the state of Earth’s forests and their changes.

With data from this satellite, scientists will be able to understand the changes going on in forests worldwide. The satellite will make use of its instruments to measure aspects of the forests such as the woody trunks, branches, and stems of the trees making up the forests.

Are these trees dying out? Is climate change affecting the development of these trees? Are the trees getting enough nutrients for their growth and development? These are just some questions that the data collected by this satellite, which is preparing to launch, will help answer once available.

The launch of the ESA Biomass satellite will take place by the end of this month, with no exact date set. For this launch, the ESA will make use of the Vega-C rocket and the launch will take place from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Already, pre-launch confirmations are being carried out on this satellite to ensure it’s ready for launch. The satellite successfully arrived at the launch site in the month of March ahead of its official launch.

Details On The ESA Biomass Satellite

Aside from the goal of this satellite, there are a few other impressive details about it that we need to take to mind. For example, this is the first satellite that will make use of the P-band long wavelength radar.

This radar will enable the satellite to scan deep into the thick canopies of forests worldwide. The first phase of this satellite’s mission will be to provide 3D maps of forests on Earth using its P-band long wavelength radar.

Its second phase will be much deeper than the first as it will require more technicality. In this phase, the mission will need to develop five well-detailed and readable global maps showing forest heights and above-ground biomass.

Following its launch into orbit, this satellite will have five years to complete its mission. With the data that this mission will generate, scientists will be able to calculate the global carbon cycle and how it affects the climate.