The European Space Agency has published images taken by the Biomass satellite cameras. They demonstrate the unfolding of the antenna of the largest space radar in history.
Satellite for measuring carbon
Biomass is the first ever satellite designed to measure forest biomass. The data it collects will allow scientists to estimate how much carbon forests absorb and better understand their role in our planet’s carbon cycle.
To accomplish this mission, Biomass is equipped with the largest P-band synthetic aperture space radar in history. It will allow the vehicle to look through the vegetation cover and produce accurate maps of the biomass distribution of tropical, temperate and boreal forests that cannot be obtained using ground-based measurement techniques. The amount of biomass and forest height will be measured at 200 m resolution, and forest disturbances such as logging will be measured at 50 m resolution.
It is expected that the data obtained by the satellite will find application in other areas. For example, measuring the biomass of arid regions will help find new sources of water. Biomass can also contribute to fields of science such as the study of ice sheet dynamics, the geology of the earth’s interior, and the topography of forests.
The largest space radar
Biomass was launched on April 29 from the Kourou launch site in French Guiana. The Vega-C rocket put the satellite into a 660-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. After making sure that all of Biomass’ systems were working properly, engineers began the key phase of the mission — deploying the radar antenna reflector.
The first thing to be revealed by the engineers was the 7.5-meter support rod to which the reflector is attached. The operation was carried out in three carefully planned phases, each lasting about five minutes.
Once the boom was fully extended, it was the turn of the record-breaking 12-meter antenna. Essentially, it unfolded over the satellite like an umbrella. This operation also ended in success.
With the antenna unfolded, mission specialists moved on to the next phase of the mission — instrument calibration and satellite commissioning. These operations are expected to take six months, after which Biomass will begin its science program. The vehicle is designed to operate for five years.
According to ESA
