Satellite Measures Forests From Space

Episode

10/01/2025

The BIOMASS satellite is using a new type of radar to measure forests, to help scientists understand their role in combating climate change.

Transcript

Right now, our planet is being watched, by a one-of-a-kind satellite on a mission to measure the Earth’s forests!

BIOMASS satellite

Launched into space in April, the European Space Agency’s BIOMASS satellite has been busy scanning the Earth’s surface, using a new type of radar called P-Band.

While other kinds of satellite imagery can only observe leafy treetops, P-band radar can scan much deeper into the vegetation.

This will allow it to measure the forest’s height, and estimate its biomass - that is, the amount of organic matter in the forest.

With this data, scientists hope to better understand how forests are changing, and how that might affect climate change in future.

You see, trees play an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate.

As they grow, they take in carbon dioxide from the air, and store the carbon in their trunks and branches.

High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from human activities is the number one cause of global warming. So by locking carbon away, forests help to slow down climate change.

However, if trees are lost to deforestation or wildfires, that stored carbon can end up back in the atmosphere, and there’ll be fewer trees left to soak it up again.

That’s why the BIOMASS mission is so important.

By measuring Earth’s forests more precisely than ever before, scientists can better estimate how much carbon they store, and predict what might happen if forests shrink or disappear.

This information can then help to guide conservation or restoration projects.

The BIOMASS satellite will spend the next 5 years in orbit, circling the Earth up to 20 times a day, keeping close watch over our front-line defense in the fight against climate change.

Thanks for watching Twig Science Reporter. We’ll see you next month for more science news!

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Satellite Measures Forests From Space

Teaching overview

Learning points

The European Space Agency’s BIOMASS satellite was launched into space in April.
It uses P-band radar to scan the Earth’s forests and estimate their biomass—that is, the amount of organic matter they contain.
This will help scientists understand how much carbon forests store, and the role they play in regulating climate.

Curriculum keywords

biomass
climate change
satellite

Spark a discussion

What is biomass?
How do forests affect climate change?
What is the BIOMASS satellite’s mission?

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Satellite Measures Forests From Space

Transcript

Teaching overview

Learning points

Curriculum keywords

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Classroom Resources

Video Viewing Guide

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Language and Literacy Activities

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