Biomass Earth Satellite Launch Highlights | European Space Agency

Biomass Earth Satellite Launch Highlights | European Space Agency

The European Space Agency’s new Biomass satellite launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on April 29, 2025 at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).

"In orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon."

The Vega-C launch vehicle is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance and greater payload volume.

Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
Duration: 3 minutes
Release Date: April 29, 2025

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