Biomass satellite launched to map Earth's forest carbon storage

On Tuesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Biomass satellite into orbit, representing a significant advancement in the understanding of global carbon dynamics. This mission is particularly focused on the world's forests, which play a vital role in maintaining the Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. Biomass is equipped with the first P-band synthetic aperture radar, a groundbreaking technology that can penetrate dense vegetation and gather three-dimensional data on forest structures, including trunks, branches, and stems. These measurements will better inform scientists about how forests absorb and emit carbon. Forests are crucial, as they cover nearly one-third of the Earth's surface and absorb approximately 7.6 billion metric tons of CO2 annually. However, the ongoing threat of deforestation, degradation, and wildfires exacerbates climate change by releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. The Biomass satellite aims to fill gaps in existing data on forest carbon stocks, particularly in tropical regions that are both carbon-rich and challenging for ground-based monitoring. These regions, representing about 75% of global carbon absorption, will be a primary focus of the mission. The technology aboard the satellite allows for extensive monitoring of carbon stocks over the next five-and-a-half years, enabling researchers to quantify how human activities impact these vital ecosystems. As human-induced land-use changes continue to threaten forests, the mission represents an essential step toward understanding and mitigating climate change impacts. Data collected will prove invaluable for governmental policy decisions and environmental planning. ESA officials, including Biomass project manager Michael Fehringer, have emphasized the importance of this mission in enhancing knowledge of the carbon cycle and its connection to climate systems. In the coming days, mission controllers will verify the satellite’s technical functions before it begins its operational period. ESA has partnered with 50 companies, including Airbus UK, to execute this complex mission, underscoring a collaborative effort to address significant environmental challenges. The insights derived from Biomass will help scientists, policymakers, and researchers comprehend the shifting dynamics of forest carbon stocks in relation to climate change and the sustainability of these ecosystems overall.