Successful Launch of ESA’s BIOMASS Satellite: Professor Mat Disney Reflects on an Historic Moment

Professor Mat Disney spoke about the significance of the launch during a Space4Climate and National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) watch party at the Innovation Zero event in London, just minutes before lift-off. He described the tense moments as final preparations were made for the deployment of the satellite.

BIOMASS is the first satellite mission designed to “weigh” forests from space. It uses a unique P-band radar system — a much longer wavelength than conventional space radars — to penetrate the forest canopy and measure branches and trunks that are otherwise hidden from view. By building up a three-dimensional picture of forests across the tropics, the satellite will allow scientists to estimate how much carbon is stored in trees with unprecedented accuracy.

Professor Disney highlighted why this capability is so important:

“Our current understanding [of carbon storage] is really patchy, because it’s really, really difficult to measure. Essentially, what we’re talking about is trying to weigh the amount of carbon that’s stored in one and a half trillion trees across the tropics. Satellites are really the only way you can do that consistently.”

Until now, scientists have relied heavily on individual tree measurements and ground surveys, which are time-consuming and difficult to scale across the vast tropical forests. The new satellite will provide consistent, repeatable measurements — even through cloud cover, which has long limited Earth observation in tropical regions. 

Professor Disney added “We’re still going to need those vital ground-based measurements – more than ever in some ways – so that we know BIOMASS is performing accurately. But assuming it is, we will get a more detailed view of tropical forests than ever before!” 

Over the next five years, BIOMASS will map forest carbon storage worldwide, offering vital insights into the role forests play in regulating Earth’s climate and the impacts of deforestation.

This mission represents the culmination of decades of research and collaboration across Europe and beyond. UCL Geography is proud to contribute to this landmark step in understanding and protecting our planet’s forests.