How Europe’s Biomass satellite is changing climate science

Launched successfully on 29 April 2025, the Biomass satellite represents a landmark achievement for the European aerospace industry, and shows the critical role aerospace and defence technologies can play in addressing global environmental challenges. Built by Airbus, an ASD member company, this advanced Earth observation satellite will revolutionise our understanding of forest ecosystems and their impact on climate change.

A revolutionary mission takes flight

From Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, a Vega-C rocket carrying the Biomass satellite successfully lifted off, beginning a mission that will transform climate research. Now orbiting at an altitude of 666km, this European Space Agency (ESA) flagship mission represents the culmination of years of European engineering excellence and collaboration.

"Biomass will give scientists and climatologists unprecedented data on the state of the world's forests, further enhancing the understanding of the climate cycle. The spacecraft is now safely in orbit and ready to deliver its precious data," said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, following the successful deployment.

Pioneering technology for essential climate insights

On of the things that makes Biomass truly revolutionary is its P-band synthetic aperture radar – the first of its kind used in space. This amazing instrument can penetrate forest canopies to measure the biomass beneath, providing scientists with accurate maps of tropical, temperate and boreal forests worldwide.
The innovation doesn't stop there. The spacecraft features an impressive 12-metre deployable antenna that captures reflected radar signals, enabling researchers to detect changes in forest biomass due to deforestation, burning, or natural regrowth. This information is critical for scientists to understand carbon cycles and their effects on our changing climate.

European collaboration driving global solutions

The Biomass satellite exemplifies the power of European industrial cooperation. Developed and tested across Airbus facilities in Stevenage (UK), Friedrichshafen (Germany), and Toulouse (France), the project ultimately brought together more than 50 companies across 20 countries. This kind of approach reflects how the European aerospace and defence industry brings together expertise and resources to tackle complex challenges.

Europe's aerospace and defence industry continues to push technological boundaries to address pressing societal needs. By measuring forest biomass with unprecedented precision, Biomass will help close critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of the carbon cycle. These insights will inform climate policies, guide conservation efforts, and support international climate agreements, showcasing how European industrial excellence delivers solutions with global impact.

Beyond climate: extending the benefits

While climate research stands at the forefront of Biomass's mission, its capabilities reach much further. The satellite's P-band radar will help scientists locate paleo aquifers in desert regions, potentially revealing new water sources in water-scarce areas. It will also contribute valuable data on ice sheet dynamics, subsurface geology, and forest topography, providing scientists with a completely new view of our planet's surface.
Perhaps most significantly, Biomass data will support REDD+, a United Nations climate change initiative focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. By monitoring vulnerable forests without requiring ground intervention, the satellite will help facilitate more effective conservation efforts and climate action.

Connecting space technology to climate action

The Biomass mission demonstrates how capabilities originally developed for space exploration and security applications can be directed toward addressing urgent environmental challenges. The industry's unique capacities to develop technologies capable of operating in the most challenging environments make it an essential partner in tackling climate change. 

As the Biomass satellite commences its five-year mission, it joins a constellation of Earth observation satellites that are transforming our relationship with our planet. The data it collects will serve scientists and policymakers for years to come, helping shape a more sustainable future.

The successful launch of Biomass represents not just a technological triumph but a powerful example of how European aerospace and defence capabilities are being leveraged to secure a more sustainable future for our planet. It stands as a testament to how our industry connects and protects societies worldwide, delivering innovation that reaches far beyond the skies.

Source: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-04-airbus-built-forest-monitoring-satellite-biomass-successfully