The satellite that will 'weigh' 1.5T trees
a year ago
- #satellite technology
- #rainforests
- #climate change
- The European Space Agency (ESA) launched a satellite to measure carbon stored in the world's 1.5 trillion trees.
- The satellite, nicknamed 'space brolly,' uses P-band radar to penetrate forest canopies and analyze woody material.
- This technology will help scientists accurately assess carbon storage in major rainforests like the Amazon, Congo, and Indonesia.
- Current methods involve measuring individual trees, which is challenging and inconsistent.
- The satellite will produce annual maps over five years, tracking carbon storage and deforestation impacts.
- Unlike other satellites, Biomass can penetrate clouds, providing consistent data in tropical regions.
- The mission is a collaborative effort involving scientists from Europe and the US.
- The satellite's deployment includes a large 12-meter antenna, requiring precise unfolding in space.
- First results are expected within six months, with long-term data aiding climate change research.