New ESA satellite: Revolutionary data on forest biomass launched!

New ESA satellite: Revolutionary data on forest biomass launched!

On May 3, 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced a significant step to improve global forest data. The new Biomass Mission satellite entered orbit this week and will provide the most accurate satellite-based maps of above-ground forest carbon. These maps are based on a comprehensive dataset that includes nearly two decades of information on changes in forests. The development of this long-term data set took place as part of ESA's Climate Change Initiative and integrates data from various satellite missions, complemented by the new data from the Biomass mission.

The recorded data tracks carbon-rich woody parts of vegetation, such as trunks and branches, worldwide for the years between 2007 and 2022. The resolution of the data varies between 100 meters and 50 kilometers. According to ESA's Frank Martin Seifert, this innovation represents a pivotal moment for climate science, as trees store large amounts of carbon that can be released through deforestation and forest fires. Richard Lucas from the University of Aberystwyth highlights that the Biomass Mission will significantly improve the representation of global forest biomass, particularly in densely forested regions.

Biomass Mission Technology

The Biomass mission uses an innovative space-based P-band radar with a wavelength of approximately 70 cm. This technology has the ability to penetrate dense forest canopies and measure carbon in hard-to-reach vegetation. This reduces uncertainties in estimating carbon levels, particularly in tropical regions where traditional optical sensors often fail due to cloud cover. The radar captures the signal reflected by individual forest elements, providing valuable information about the structure of the forest that can be used to derive biomass and elevation parameters.

The reliable data provided by the Biomass Mission supports, among other things, the UN REDD+ initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and land use change in developing countries. This mission will also increase understanding of habitat loss and its impact on forest biodiversity.

Monitors and challenges in the forest sector

Remote Sensing Solutions (RSS) brings over 20 years of experience in monitoring tropical forests. The company carries out comprehensive solutions for recording deforestation, forest degradation as well as biomass assessments and CO2 accounting. State-of-the-art satellite technologies and data analysis methods are used to provide robust information about global forests.

Forests are not only biodiversity hotspots, they also play a key role in the carbon cycle. However, land use intensification and unsustainable forestry lead to significant damage to forest ecosystems, which in turn increases greenhouse gas emissions. Monitoring plays a crucial role in meeting these challenges. By recording historical trends in deforestation and analyzing the impact of forest fires on ecosystems, the quality of sustainable forest management is improved.

The biomass mission will not only contribute to carbon storage in forests, but also provide vital knowledge for future environmental strategies and climate protection measures. These developments are essential to effectively address the challenges of climate change and promote sustainable practices.

The satellite was constructed by a consortium of over 50 companies, with Airbus UK acting as prime contractor. The successful launch, originally scheduled for April 29, 2025 from Kourou in French Guiana aboard a Vega-C rocket, has now paved the way for a revolution in forest monitoring.