A groundbreaking satellite led by British academics and engineers is set to become the first satellite to measure the current state of Earth’s forests in three dimensions (3D) from space. The innovative project will deepen our understanding of the health of forests, known as the lungs of our planet, and their critical role in the carbon cycle.
The satellite, successfully launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass Earth observation mission, will provide previously unobtainable detailed information on forests, including their size, weight and areas of deforestation. To this end, the satellite will use state-of-the-art radar technology.
Major Contribution to Understanding the Carbon Cycle
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The Biomass satellite represents a huge leap forward in our ability to understand the Earth’s carbon cycle. By mapping the world’s forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to climate change, helping scientists, policymakers and conservationists take informed action.”
This ambitious mission will enable us to map not only the area covered by forests but also their internal structure in 3D, making it possible to determine their biomass and carbon storage capacity with much greater precision. The data will enable us to better understand the impacts of deforestation, to more accurately model the role of forests in combating climate change and to develop effective conservation strategies. This pioneering work by British scientists and engineers will provide a key tool in tackling the global climate crisis, making a valuable contribution to efforts to create a more sustainable world for future generations.
