Biomass lifts off successfully under the rising sun in Kourou

In golden light and clear skies, Europe's Spaceport witnessed a pivotal moment for environmental science: the launch of Vega C’s VV26 mission, carrying the Biomass satellite for ESA’s (European Space Agency) Earth Explorer programme.

This next-generation satellite, manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space, aims to improve our knowledge of forests worldwide. Using a P-band radar capable of penetrating the canopy, Biomass will measure forest structure, plant biomass and the amount of carbon stored in forests with unprecedented precision to provide key data for monitoring the effects of climate change.

The launch, operated by Arianespace, is part of Europe’s commitment to autonomous access to space for the benefit of the planet. After a 57-minute flight, the satellite was successfully placed into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 666 km. This achievement is a testament to the performance of the Vega C launcher, whose first three stages and the AVUM+ upper stage executed their mission perfectly.

Biomass will operate for at least five years, providing essential data for research on the carbon cycle and biodiversity preservation as well as the study of desert geology and ice caps.