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ESA approves BIOMASS satellite to monitor Earth's forests ESA approves BIOMASS satellite to monitor Earth's forests
(35 minutes later)
A satellite that can weigh the Earth's forests has just been given the go ahead by the European Space Agency.A satellite that can weigh the Earth's forests has just been given the go ahead by the European Space Agency.
BIOMASS, as it will be known, is expected to launch in 2020.BIOMASS, as it will be known, is expected to launch in 2020.
The spacecraft will carry a novel radar system that is able to sense the trunks and big branches of trees from orbit.The spacecraft will carry a novel radar system that is able to sense the trunks and big branches of trees from orbit.
Scientists will use BIOMASS to calculate the amount of carbon stored in the world's forests, and to monitor for any changes over the course of the five-year mission.Scientists will use BIOMASS to calculate the amount of carbon stored in the world's forests, and to monitor for any changes over the course of the five-year mission.
The satellite's data should help researchers understand better the role trees play in the cycling of carbon on Earth and, by extension, the influence this has on the planet's climate.The satellite's data should help researchers understand better the role trees play in the cycling of carbon on Earth and, by extension, the influence this has on the planet's climate.
"BIOMASS will give us unprecedented knowledge on the state of the world's forests and how they are changing," said Prof Shaun Quegan, who was one of the key proposers of the mission."BIOMASS will give us unprecedented knowledge on the state of the world's forests and how they are changing," said Prof Shaun Quegan, who was one of the key proposers of the mission.
"This will give us a firm basis for treaties that aim to help developing countries preserve their forests, such as the UN Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative."This will give us a firm basis for treaties that aim to help developing countries preserve their forests, such as the UN Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative.
"But for every country in the world, BIOMASS will return information on their national forestry resources, and that's important for things like energy and biodiversity," the Sheffield University researcher told BBC News. "In addition, BIOMASS will return information on national forestry resources, and that's important for things like energy and biodiversity," the Sheffield University researcher told BBC News.
Esa's Earth Observation Programme Board approved BIOMASS on Tuesday.Esa's Earth Observation Programme Board approved BIOMASS on Tuesday.
The satellite will be the seventh of the agency's so-called Earth Explorers - a series of spacecraft that are designed to do innovative science in obtaining data on issues of pressing environmental concern.The satellite will be the seventh of the agency's so-called Earth Explorers - a series of spacecraft that are designed to do innovative science in obtaining data on issues of pressing environmental concern.
Three missions have so far gone into orbit, returning remarkable new information on gravity, polar ice cover, soil moisture and ocean salinity.Three missions have so far gone into orbit, returning remarkable new information on gravity, polar ice cover, soil moisture and ocean salinity.
A fourth, to study Earth's magnetic field, launches in the coming weeks; with satellites to study the wind and fine particles in the atmosphere further back in the development schedule.A fourth, to study Earth's magnetic field, launches in the coming weeks; with satellites to study the wind and fine particles in the atmosphere further back in the development schedule.
BIOMASS will be 1.2-tonne satellite at launch, meaning it will likely go up on Esa's new Vega rocket, which successfully conducted only its second flight overnight.BIOMASS will be 1.2-tonne satellite at launch, meaning it will likely go up on Esa's new Vega rocket, which successfully conducted only its second flight overnight.
Its sole instrument will send down a 70cm radar pulse that will penetrate the leafy canopies of forests but scatter back off the large woody parts of trees.Its sole instrument will send down a 70cm radar pulse that will penetrate the leafy canopies of forests but scatter back off the large woody parts of trees.
A 12m reflector will be needed to capture this return signal.A 12m reflector will be needed to capture this return signal.
The size of the antenna requires that it be folded for launch to fit inside Vega vehicle and then unfurled once the satellite has reached its 650km-high orbit. The size of the antenna requires that it be folded for launch to fit inside the Vega vehicle and then unfurled once the satellite has reached its 650km-high orbit.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmosJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos