Biomass Satellite Mission: A Landmark in Space-Based Forest Monitoring

Context

• Forest ecosystems are a cornerstone of Earth’s environmental stability. They cover about 31% of the planet’s land surface and store more than 80% of terrestrial above-ground biomass carbon.

• Forests play a key role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and storing it in the form of biomass. However, due to activities such as deforestation, forest degradation, and climate change, forest health and carbon storage capacity are under threat.

• Accurate, large-scale, and consistent global biomass data are crucial for:

  • Climate modelling

  • Emissions accounting

  • Sustainable forest management

  • Biodiversity conservation

• Until now, satellite missions had limited capability in penetrating dense forest canopies to assess carbon storage. In this context, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed the Biomass satellite mission, a pioneering effort to address this gap.

Key Features of the Biomass Satellite Mission

• Launching Agency: European Space Agency (ESA)

• Launch Vehicle: Vega-C rocket

• Launch Site: Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

• Orbit Type: Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 666 km

  • Ensures consistent lighting conditions and repeatable observations.

• Primary Instrument:

  • World's first space-based satellite to use a P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

  • The P-band (435 MHz) radar wavelength is uniquely capable of penetrating dense vegetation layers.

  • Captures detailed data from tree trunks, branches, and stems — areas where 90% of forest biomass carbon is stored.

• Mission Duration: 5 years

• Data Output:

  • Generation of high-resolution 3D maps of forest biomass.

  • Annual biomass change estimates across global forests.

Scientific and Technological Significance

• Breakthrough in Canopy Penetration:

  • Previous radar and optical satellites were hindered by cloud cover, especially in tropical regions.

  • The Biomass satellite’s P-band radar can operate under all weather conditions, day or night.

• Global Biomass Assessment:

  • Will cover regions such as the Amazon, Congo Basin, Southeast Asia, and forests of the Indian subcontinent.

  • Offers a uniform, comparable global database on above-ground biomass (AGB).

• Carbon Stock Monitoring:

  • Enables accurate estimation of carbon fluxes — emissions and removals due to land use.

  • A critical input for carbon trading, REDD+ accounting, and climate finance mechanisms.

Environmental and Climate Relevance

• Forests absorb approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year. Disturbances such as deforestation lead to massive carbon release.

• ESA’s Biomass mission will:

  • Help identify carbon hotspots

  • Detect regions undergoing deforestation or regeneration

  • Track forest degradation that is often invisible to conventional satellites

• Directly supports climate objectives under:

  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

  • Paris Agreement and its Global Stocktake process

  • SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

Geopolitical and Policy Significance

• Developing countries often lack infrastructure to conduct comprehensive forest assessments.

• Biomass data will be made freely available, offering a significant boost to nations in:

  • South America

  • Central Africa

  • Southeast Asia

  • Indian subcontinent

• Supports:

  • Transparency and accountability in global climate governance

  • Evidence-based policymaking for sustainable land use

  • Implementation of mechanisms like REDD+, carbon offsets, and ecosystem valuation

Relevance for India and the Global South

• India’s forests, covering about 24.6% of its land area, are crucial for climate resilience, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

• Biomass data will:

  • Complement national efforts under Green India Mission, CAMPA, and State of Forest Reports

  • Assist in identifying forest degradation zones

  • Help in monitoring carbon sequestration targets under India’s Updated NDCs (2022)

Conclusion

ESA’s Biomass satellite marks a watershed moment in the use of space technology for environmental sustainability. By providing globally consistent, high-quality data on forest biomass, it will enable more informed decisions in climate policy, forest management, and ecological conservation. The mission reaffirms how technological innovation can serve as a powerful tool for climate justice, especially for the developing world.