Biomass Satellite Sends First-Ever Images of Earth's Extreme Environments
Published on: June 30, 2025
By: Universal Khabar Team
A New Vision of Earth from Space
The European Space Agency’s Biomass satellite has successfully delivered its first radar images of our planet — and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. This marks a milestone in environmental science as Biomass reveals never-before-seen views of forests, deserts, glaciers, and hidden subsurface features using cutting-edge P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
What Has Biomass Captured So Far?
🔸 Amazon Rainforest (Brazil)
- Shows thick green canopies, pinkish wetlands, and the winding paths of ancient rivers.
- Differentiates between lush rainforests, floodplains, grasslands, and water bodies.
🔸 Halmahera, Indonesia
- Captures volcanic structures beneath thick jungle layers, including Mount Gamkonora.
🔸 Tibesti Mountains, Sahara (Chad)
- Radar penetrates sand to uncover ancient riverbeds and rock formations up to 5 meters deep.
🔸 Nimrod Glacier, Antarctica
- Reveals ice-covered mountains and internal glacial structures.
Why It’s a Game-Changer
Biomass is the first satellite to use long-wavelength P-band radar from space — powerful enough to see below tree canopies and under desert sands. Over its 5-year mission, it will:
- Map Earth's entire forest biomass in 3D
- Monitor carbon stocks and climate change
- Help track deforestation and reforestation
- Support global carbon accounting and REDD+ efforts
What's Next?
Now in its commissioning phase, Biomass will soon begin global-scale observations. The data will be invaluable for climate scientists, conservationists, and policy makers seeking to protect the planet.
Did You Know?
The Biomass satellite is part of ESA’s Earth Explorer mission series.
Its radar can detect changes in tree height and density, helping scientists calculate how much carbon is stored in forests.
Your Turn:
Do you think such satellite missions can help us stop climate change?
Comment below and share your thoughts!
0 Comments