Overview

• The European Space Agency launched the Biomass satellite on April 29, 2025, aboard a Vega-C rocket from French Guiana, marking the start of its 5.5-year mission.
• Biomass carries the first-ever P-band synthetic aperture radar, capable of penetrating dense forest canopies to measure woody biomass, height, and carbon content with unparalleled precision.
• The satellite’s 12-meter-wide deployable mesh reflector antenna will begin unfolding in early May, with full operational capability expected by mid-June 2025.
• This mission aims to create detailed 3D maps of global forests to improve understanding of carbon storage and changes, addressing critical gaps in climate science.
• Beyond forest monitoring, Biomass will also map subsurface geology, ice sheet structures, and forest floor topography, showcasing advanced European space technology and collaboration.