Airbus-built Biomass satellite shipped to Kourou
February 22, 2025
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) latest Earth observation mission, Biomass, has embarked on its journey from Toulouse, France, to Kourou in French Guiana, in preparation for an anticipated April 2025 launch.
This mission aims to provide unprecedented insights into the world’s forests and their role in the global carbon cycle.
Constructed by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, UK, the Biomass satellite represents a significant advancement in environmental monitoring technology, the company said.
Equipped with the first space-borne P-band synthetic aperture radar, it is designed to deliver highly accurate maps of forest biomass across tropical, temperate, and boreal regions.
Operating from an altitude of approximately 666 km, the satellite will measure forest biomass to assess terrestrial carbon stocks and fluxes.
One standout feature of the spacecraft is its expansive 12×15 metre deployable antenna, engineered to capture detailed synthetic aperture radar data.
This capability will enable scientists to monitor changes in biomass resulting from deforestation activities such as logging and burning, as well as natural regrowth—data that are challenging to obtain through traditional ground-based methods.
The development and testing of Biomass have been a collaborative effort, involving over 50 companies across 20 countries. Airbus engineers from Stevenage led a successful test campaign in Toulouse, with support from colleagues in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and other partners.
As the satellite makes its way to the launch site, teams are gearing up for the in-orbit commissioning and operational phases. Additionally, a dedicated team is overseeing the deployment of a ground calibration transponder located in New Norcia, Australia.
Scheduled for a five-year mission, Biomass is set to launch aboard a Vega-C rocket from Kourou.
Alain Fauré, head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Shipping this flagship mission is a major milestone after years of hard work and dedication from all our teams.
“The satellite’s groundbreaking technology will enable climatologists to accurately assess carbon stocks and fluxes from space and improve the understanding of the part that forests play in regulating climate.”
