The BIOMASS mission, the seventh Earth Explorer mission of the European Space Agency (ESA), is set to launch on April 29 from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. Its primary goal is to estimate the amount of carbon stored in forest ecosystems and monitor changes over time. This data will help reduce current uncertainties about terrestrial carbon flows and reserves.

Forests are essential for maintaining the planet’s climate balance, as they store vast amounts of carbon. However, processes like deforestation can reverse this role and worsen global warming. BIOMASS will enable more precise measurements of carbon stored in forests and how it fluctuates over time, improving climate models and supporting informed decisions on forest management and conservation.

This groundbreaking mission marks a milestone in Earth observation as the first to carry a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating in the P-band, capable of penetrating forest canopies to measure biomass and tree height globally with high precision.

GMV has been a key player in this cutting-edge mission since its inception. The company contributed to mission analysis during the definition of requirements and feasibility, and designed and developed the control system—a key component of the ground segment that enables continuous monitoring of the satellite’s status while ensuring control over both the platform and onboard payload.

GMV also developed and maintains the operational simulator, a vital tool for preparing operations during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) and throughout routine operations. This simulator helps train the operational team and reliably validate the mission control system.

The company also plays a major role in the data processing chain of the onboard SAR instrument. This task is critical for estimating forest biomass and the carbon stored in forests, which directly contributes to improving climate predictions and making decisions for their protection.

Beyond forest analysis, BIOMASS opens up new scientific possibilities in fields such as digital terrain modeling, ice sheet studies, and even underground observations in arid regions. 

More info: ESA BIOMASS Press Kit