New ESA satellite: Revolutionary data on the forest biomass started!

New ESA satellite: Revolutionary data on the forest biomass started!

On May 3, 2025, the European Space Authority (ESA) announced a significant step to improve global forest data. The new satellite of the "biomass mission" has been in orbit since this week and will provide the most precise satellite-based maps of the above-ground forest carbon. These cards are based on an extensive data record that includes almost two decades of information about changes in forests. The development of this long-term data record took place as part of the Climate Change Initiative of the ESA and integrates data from various satellite missions that are supplemented by the new data of the biomass mission.

The recorded data pursue carbon -rich wooden wooden parts of the vegetation, such as tribes and branches, worldwide for the years between 2007 and 2022. The dissolution of the data varies between 100 meters and 50 kilometers. According to Frank Martin Seifert from ESA, this innovation is a crucial moment for climate science, since trees store large amounts of carbon that can be released by deforestation and forest fires. Richard Lucas from the University of Aberystwyth emphasizes that the biomass mission will significantly improve the representation of the global forest biomass, especially in densely forested regions.

technology of the biomass mission

The biomass mission uses an innovative space-based P-band radar with a wavelength of about 70 cm. This technology has the ability to penetrate dense forest crowns and measure carbon in difficult to access vegetation. This reduces uncertainties in estimating the carbon content, especially in tropical regions, where conventional optical sensors often fail due to cloud cover. The radar captures the signal that is reinforced by individual forest elements, and thus provides valuable information about the structure of the forest, which can be used to derive biomass and height parameters.

The reliable data provided by the biomass mission support, among other things, the UN Redd+ Initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and land use changes in developing countries. This mission will also expand the understanding of habitat loss and its influence on the biodiversity of the forests.

monitors and challenges in the forest sector

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

forests are not only biodiversity hotspots, they also play a key role in the carbon cycle. However, intensification of land use and non -sustainable forestry lead to considerable damage to forest ecosystems, which in turn increases greenhouse gas emissions. In order to be able to meet these challenges, monitoring plays a crucial role. By recording historical trends of deforestation and the analysis of the effects 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 will also provide vital knowledge for future environmental strategies and climate protection measures. These developments are essential to effectively counter the challenges of climate change and to promote sustainable practices.

The satellite was constructed by a consortium of over 50 companies, whereby Airbus UK acts as the main contractor. The successful start, which was originally planned for April 29, 2025 in French Guayana on board a Vega-C rocket, has now paved its way for a revolution in forest monitoring.