A Game-Changing Satellite from the UK
Biomass, a new satellite, is set to create history. Built entirely in the UK, it is the first of its kind. This incredible device will launch into space to produce three-dimensional maps of the planet’s forests. Unlike other satellites that only see the tops of trees, Biomass can peek through leaves and even clouds to see deep into the forests. This is a big deal because it helps us understand how healthy our forests are.
The satellite uses a special radar system. Think of it like a super-powered scanner that can see through thick tree cover. It can measure how much carbon dioxide— a gas that causes global warming— forests store in their trunks, branches, and roots. When trees are cut down, they release this gas back into the air, which makes climate change worse. Biomass will help us keep track of this process.
This satellite is especially good at looking at tropical forests. These forests, found in places like the Amazon, Africa, and Southeast Asia, are often hidden by clouds and hard to reach. Biomass will scan these areas to create a detailed 3D map over the next five years. After that, it will update simpler maps every nine months. These maps will show how forests are changing and how much carbon they hold.
A Proud Moment for British Science
Biomass is a huge win for the UK’s space industry. The entire project, from the first idea to the final build, happened in the UK. Engineers and experts in a place called Stevenage worked hard to make this satellite. It’s the result of years of research in British universities and space companies, showing the world what the UK can do.
Building Biomass created 250 skilled jobs. Over 50 companies from around the world helped out, but the UK led the way. The project is a part of the UK’s enormous space industry, which employs 52,000 people and is worth £19 billion. The UK’s role in the European Space Agency, a group that works on space projects, helped bring in nearly €91 million for Biomass since 2016.
The satellite will blast off from a spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on April 29. This launch is a big moment, not just for the UK but for everyone who cares about protecting the environment. People across the globe will be watching as Biomass begins its mission to help our planet.
Helping Our Planet Stay Healthy
Forests are like the Earth’s lungs. They breathe in carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their wood and roots. This helps keep the planet cooler. But when forests are cut down or damaged, that stored carbon escapes, making climate change worse. Biomass will give us a clearer picture of what’s happening in forests, especially in hard-to-reach tropical areas.
Right now, we don’t have much accurate information about how much carbon tropical forests hold. These forests are often covered in thick clouds, making them tough to study. Biomass changes that. Its radar can see through clouds and dense tree cover to measure forests in places like the Amazon, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
The satellite will show whether forests are growing bigger or getting smaller. It will also tell us how fast these changes are happening. This information is super important for understanding how forests affect the climate. It will also help us see how habitat loss impacts animals and plants, which is key to protecting nature.
In simple terms, Biomass is like a giant eye in the sky. It will scan forests and give us detailed pictures of how they’re doing. These pictures will help scientists and people working to protect the environment make better decisions to keep our planet healthy.
