Measuring biomass

ESA’s Biomass is the first satellite to carry a P-band synthetic aperture radar in space. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, this novel radar is able to penetrate through the forest canopy, allowing it to collect information on different parts of the forest, such tree trunks, branches and stems – which is where trees store most of their carbon. This information will provide new insight into the state of our forests and how they are changing, and further our knowledge of the role forests play in the carbon cycle.

Over its life in orbit, the mission is operated in two phases, namely, the tomographic phase at the beginning followed by the interferometric phase. Novel to Earth observation, the first phase yields 3D maps of forests. The second phase allows forest height and above-ground biomass to be estimated. During this phase, around five global maps are acquired.