Biomass feels the heat

ESA’s Biomass satellite undergoing a ‘thermal elastic distortion’ test, the aim of which is to show that the temperature variations that the satellite will encounter in space will not affect its strict pointing requirements. First indications are that these swings of temperature will not introduce any distortions that could impair the way it takes its measurements.

Carrying a novel P-band synthetic aperture radar, the Biomass mission is designed to deliver crucial information about the state of our forests and how they are changing, and to further our knowledge of the role forests play in the carbon cycle.