The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
While the P-band radar is the measuring instrument, Biomass’ most striking feature is its mesh reflector, which offers a 12 m diameter projected aperture.
It is mounted on the side of the satellite platform and folded for launch so that it can be accommodated within the rocket fairing. This configuration has resulted in the unique shape of the satellite platform. Once the satellite is injected into orbit, a three-piece boom deploys the stowed reflector bundle into position. When the boom hinges lock into their final positions the reflector bundle is released and opened up to provide a highly accurate and stable 12 m aperture wire-mesh reflector.