A satellite developed by British academics and engineers is set
to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the
Earth's forests in 3D from space.
The European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass Earth observation
mission, which launched successfully from Europe's spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana today, aims to enhance our understanding of
the world's forests and their role in the carbon cycle. The
mission will use state-of-the-art radar technology to uncover new
insights into forests, including their size and weight, and areas
of deforestation.
This work will be crucial to helping us understand how tropical
forests are changing and provide critical data to understand the
carbon cycle and help develop climate strategies.
The concept was conceived in Yorkshire, at the University of
Sheffield by Professor Shaun Quegan, working with the National
Centre for Earth Observation in Leicester. Other academics from
the University of Edinburgh and UCL have brought modelling and
data assimilation expertise to the application of Biomass
data.
Since 2016 the UK has won almost £77 million in contracts for
Biomass through its membership of ESA.
Minister for Space Sir said:
The Biomass mission showcases British ingenuity at its very best,
from conception in Sheffield to construction in
Stevenage.
Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space
industry, but of global climate action
too.
Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to
deliver vital global results is testament to the UK's industrial
and academic expertise in space technology and will attract
global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us
boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change.
Shaun Quegan, University of Sheffield's Professor and lead
proposer of the mission concept to the European Space Agency,
said:
It's been a privilege to have led the team in the development of
a pioneering mission that will revolutionise our understanding of
the volume of carbon held in the most impenetrable tropical
rainforests on the planet and, crucially, how this is changing
over time. Our research has solved critical operational
scientific problems in constructing the Biomass
satellite.
Conceived and built in the UK, Biomass is a brilliant example of
what we can achieve in collaboration with our partners in
industry and academia. The mission is the culmination of decades
of highly innovative work in partnership with some of the best
scientists in Europe and the US.
Airbus UK is the Prime Contractor and has manufactured the
satellite in Stevenage. Throughout construction, it has supported
approximately 250 highly skilled jobs, benefitting the local
economy and bolstering the UK's 52,000-strong space
workforce.
Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the
UK, said:
Biomass is a groundbreaking mission that will advance our
understanding of how carbon is stored in the world's forests –
delivering crucial data in the fight against climate change. With
more than 50 companies involved across 20 nations, the team in
Stevenage has shown exceptional leadership in delivering this
flagship ESA mission.
Many other businesses in the UK supply chain have contributed,
including ABSL in Abingdon, which has provided the battery,
European Astrotech UK in Westcott, which has provided test
services, and Nammo, in Cheltenham, providing the service valves.
Its revolutionary technology will help scientists capture vital
data on the changes to carbon in forests as ecosystems are
increasingly impacted by deforestation. The satellite will create
a 3D map of tropical forests after 17 months, then new (non-3D)
maps every 9 months for the rest of the 5-year mission, providing
insights normally hidden from human sight because of the
difficulty in accessing these environments.
Both deforestation, which releases carbon dioxide, and forest
growth, which soaks up CO2 from the atmosphere, are crucial parts
of climate change.
Data on the biomass of tropical forests is very limited because
they are difficult to access.
The Biomass satellite will be able to penetrate cloud cover and
measure forest biomass more accurately than any current
technology, which only see the top of the canopy. By providing
better data it will help create a more accurate global carbon
budget and better understanding of carbon sinks and sources which
will help in developing and implementing effective strategies to
achieve net-zero goals.
Observations will also lead to better insight into the rates of
habitat loss and, as a result, the effect this may have on
biodiversity in the forest environment.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
The Biomass satellite represents a major leap forward in our
ability to understand Earth's carbon cycle. By mapping the
world's forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will
provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to
climate change — helping scientists, policymakers, and
conservationists take informed action.
We're proud of the leading role the UK has played in this
important mission.
