Satellite will have to be turned off when it floats over the US
a year ago
- #satellite technology
- #carbon capture
- #climate change
- The European Space Agency and Airbus developed the Biomass satellite to measure carbon captured by Earth's forests.
- Biomass uses the P-band of the radio spectrum, which is usually banned for satellites, to gather data.
- The satellite is the first of its kind and will orbit for about five years.
- P-band wavelengths are ideal for measuring tree trunks and large branches where most carbon is stored.
- Biomass' radar must be turned off over North America and Europe to avoid interfering with reconnaissance satellites.
- One of the main goals is to measure forests like the Amazon rainforest, where data is scarce.
- The data from Biomass will help scientists understand how human activities affect carbon storage in trees.
- The mission supports efforts to combat rapid planetary warming caused by excessive atmospheric carbon.
- The Forest Stewardship Council also works to ensure sustainable management of wood products.
- The Biomass satellite's data is expected to be a game-changer in quantifying forest carbon stocks and fluxes.