ESA has launched the world’s first satellite that can see through forests: What it means and what it will do

The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched BIOMASS, the first satellite in the world capable of peering through dense forest canopies. This groundbreaking mission aims to deliver unprecedented measurements of the Earth’s biomass, helping scientists better understand the carbon cycle and track changes in global forests.

A revolutionary radar in space

BIOMASS carries the first P-band synthetic aperture radar ever sent into orbit, a major technological leap. Unlike other satellite radars using shorter wavelengths, BIOMASS’s P-band radar can penetrate clouds, rain, and thick layers of foliage, allowing it to scan the woody parts of trees such as trunks and branches—where most forest carbon is stored.

Why forests matter for climate change

Forests cover about one-third of Earth’s land and absorb an estimated 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, playing a crucial role in regulating climate. However, deforestation and land use changes are rapidly returning that carbon to the atmosphere. Until now, we lacked the tools to precisely measure how much carbon forests hold—or how fast they are losing it.

BIOMASS’s two-phase mission

The satellite will operate for 5.5 years. In its first 18 months, it will conduct tomographic mapping to build 3D models of forest structure. Then, it will switch to interferometric observations, tracking changes in forest height and densityto estimate how biomass evolves over time. This will allow scientists to map carbon distribution globally and monitor forest degradation with unmatched accuracy.

By combining global coverage with cutting-edge radar technology, BIOMASS is set to become one of the most valuable tools for understanding our planet’s forests—and protecting them.