United Kingdom - 25 April 2025: A satellite developed by British academics and engineers is set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth’s forests from space, marking a milestone in the fight against climate change.

The Biomass satellite, conceived by the University of Sheffield and built in the UK, will revolutionise our understanding of tropical forests by mapping them in 3D for the first time. This innovative mission will use cutting-edge technology to gather data that will inform climate change policies, protect future generations, and support the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy under the Plan for Change.

This revolutionary project not only advances scientific knowledge but also supports the UK’s thriving space sector, which is valued at around £18.9 billion. The Biomass satellite has the potential to attract further investment, helping to drive economic growth and reinforcing the UK’s role as a leader in space technology. The project has already created approximately 250 highly skilled jobs in Stevenage, strengthening the UK’s space workforce, which now stands at 52,000.

The Biomass satellite will launch from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 29 April. Since 2016, the UK has secured nearly 91 million Euros in contracts for Biomass through its membership in the European Space Agency (ESA). The satellite will provide valuable data on the condition of tropical forests, which play a crucial role in regulating the global carbon cycle.

The satellite will take 17 months to create a comprehensive 3D map of tropical forests, and thereafter, it will produce new non-3D maps every nine months for the duration of its five-year mission. These maps will provide insights into areas of the forest that are typically hidden from human sight due to inaccessibility.

One of the mission’s most important contributions will be improving the measurement of carbon storage in forests. Currently, data on the biomass of tropical forests is scarce due to their inaccessibility. The Biomass satellite will be able to penetrate cloud cover and measure forest biomass with unprecedented accuracy, far surpassing current technologies that can only capture the canopy’s surface.

“This mission is crucial for understanding how tropical forests change over time and how they contribute to carbon emissions,” said Minister for Space Sir Chris Bryant. “The Biomass mission showcases British ingenuity at its very best, from conception in Sheffield to construction in Stevenage. Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space industry, but of global climate action too. Contributing to such a great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change.”

The insights gathered by the Biomass satellite will also contribute to more accurate global carbon budgets, helping to refine strategies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions. Moreover, the satellite will provide better understanding of habitat loss rates and their impact on biodiversity in forest environments.

Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, emphasized the satellite’s importance, stating: “The Biomass satellite represents a major leap forward in our ability to understand Earth’s carbon cycle. By mapping the world’s forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to climate change — helping scientists, policymakers, and conservationists take informed action. We’re proud of the leading role the UK has played in this important mission.”

Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy added, “The UK is back in the business of climate leadership and protecting the world’s forests through emerging and cutting-edge technologies is crucial to tackling the climate crisis. This innovative tool shows how climate action attracts investment in the UK, driving growth as part of our Plan for Change.”

The Biomass mission, a global first, is set to make a significant impact in the battle against climate change, and the world will soon have access to detailed, 3D insights into the health of our planet’s most vital ecosystems.