French Guiana: ESA satellite “Biomass” launched into space
Kourou/Darmstadt/Immenstaad. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Biomass satellite has launched into space from the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This was shown in a live broadcast of the launch from the Space Operations Center in Darmstadt.
The Earth observation satellite for forest surveying lifted off at 11:15 a.m. (CEST) aboard a Vega-C rocket. At 12:27 p.m., the control center in Darmstadt received the satellite's signal and thus assumed control of the probe.
The probe is intended to measure forest biomass globally in the coming years in order to understand the role of forests in the global carbon cycle. According to ESA's "Biomass" mission manager, Klaus Scipal, it has only one instrument on board: a new type of radar. It comes from Airbus Defence and Space in Immenstaad.
Experts describe the P-band radar as a marvel. Thanks to its special technology, Airbus says it can see through treetops right down to the forest floor. It's the first of its kind.
"Biomass" will provide scientists with unprecedented data on the condition of the world's forests, explained Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus. Experts hope the satellite will have a lifetime of up to seven years.
RND/dpa
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