| |
WG3K > ANS 05.05.25 00:24z 19 Lines 3305 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS124.3
Read: GUEST
Subj: Europe's Vega C Rocket Launches Satellite to Map Forest Heal
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<PI8ZTM<VK2IO<W0ARP<WW4BSA<N3HYM<WG3K
Sent: 250504/2354Z 17081@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Biomass satellite aboard a Vega C rocket on April 29, advancing both Earth science research and Europe's independent access to space. The launch took place at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0915 UTC) from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The satellite separated from the rocket's Avum upper stage nearly an hour later, entering a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 666 kilometers.
Built by Airbus Defence and Space, the 1,250-kilogram Biomass satellite is part of ESA's Earth Explorer program. Its central feature is a P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), designed to measure the amount of carbon stored in Earth's forests by penetrating the tree canopy and mapping forest biomass. Simonetta Cheli, ESA's director of Earth observation programs, likened the technology to "a medical scan of the forest" during a prelaunch briefing.
Biomass is designed for a 5.5-year mission. The first 18 months will focus on tomographic radar mapping of forest interiors, followed by four years of interferometric observations to track changes in forest height and biomass. Beyond forests, the satellite will also observe glaciers and deserts, using the radar's ability to penetrate ice and sand. ESA plans to collaborate with NASA, sharing data with the forthcoming NISAR satellite, which operates a similar SAR system at higher frequencies.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESA-Biomass-Fores...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESA-Biomass-Forest-Canopy-Penetrating-Satellite.png
ESA's Biomass satellite will map forest carbon with P-band radar from low Earth orbit. [Credit: ESAhttps://www.esa.int//ATG MediaLabhttps://www.atg-europe.com/]
The satellite's radar system required new advancements in radio-frequency electronics due to the use of lower-frequency P-band waves. Airbus official Justin Byrne noted that engineers had to develop custom amplifiers and supporting electronics. The radar's 12-meter deployable antenna, built by L3Harris, will begin unfolding a few days after launch in a process expected to take four days.
This mission marks Vega C's second launch since returning to flight in December 2024, following a 2022 failure during the VV22 mission. ESA and Arianespace officials emphasized the extensive reviews and oversight applied to the rocket to ensure reliability. "We are scrutinizing, very closely, all of the launcher for any anomalies or weak points," said Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's director of space transportation, who added that this level of review will continue through five launches.
With Vega C and the upcoming Ariane 6 both operational, European officials underscored the strategic significance of sovereign launch capability. Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès highlighted the importance of ending reliance on foreign providers like SpaceX. Arianespace has conducted two launches so far in 2025 and plans six more by year's end. Responsibility for Vega C operations will soon shift to Avio, the rocket's manufacturer, with the transition described as proceeding smoothly.
Read the full article at: https://spacenews.com/vega-launches-biomass-satellite/
[ANS thanks the Jeff Foust, SpaceNewshttps://spacenews.com/, for the above information]
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
