The Biomass satellite will orbit 666 kilometres above Earth’s surface, using its 12-metre diameter antenna to collect data to help create detailed maps of the forest structure, like how tall the trees are and how dense the forest is. From this, scientists can estimate the forest biomass and how much carbon it is storing.
Biomass is equipped with a special type of radar that gives it a superpower: the ability to see through the leafy top layer of the forest! It can use this radar to look at the parts below, like woody trunks, branches, and stems.
This information is valuable because trees absorb carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to climate change, and they store most of it within their woody biomass. However, destruction of the forests can release this stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. By knowing how much carbon is stored in forests, scientists can monitor changes and we can better protect our precious environment.