Biomass satellite mapping Earth’s forests in 3D with P-band SAR data

In News: Biomass Satellite – Mapping Earth’s Forests in 3D with P-band SAR (2025)

Context

• European Space Agency (ESA) flagship satellite Biomass, developed in the UK, launched from French Guiana on Vega-C rocket.
• First satellite to measure global forests in 3D using P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

Key Features

• Orbit: 666 km altitude, mission life – 5 years.
• Payload: World’s first P-band (435 MHz) SARin space.
  • Antenna size: 12m × 15m deployable radar antenna.
• Coverage: Global forests – tropical, temperate, and boreal.
• Function: Measures terrestrial carbon stocks and fluxes, monitors forest biomass loss & regrowth.

Significance

• Climate Change Policy Support – provides accurate, global-scale forest carbon data.
• Carbon Cycle Insight – improves understanding of how carbon is stored/released in forests.
• Limitations of Ground Measurement overcome – space-based system enables comprehensive monitoring.
• Global Collaboration – >50 companies, 20 nations involved.
• UK Contribution – developed by Airbus Defence & Space, Stevenage, supported 250 jobs, UK space workforce ~52,000.

India Relevance

• India is a key participant in climate action, REDD+ framework, and carbon stock accounting.
• Data from Biomass can support:
  • Forest policy & afforestation programmes.
  • Carbon credit markets.
  • Validation of Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) missions on forest cover.
    
    Updated - 30 April 2025 ; 10: 10 AM | https://www.electronicsweekly.com/