This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22435656

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Esa approves Biomass satellite to monitor Earth's forests Esa approves Biomass satellite to monitor Earth's forests
(about 1 hour 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.
"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."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 the 400m-euro (£340m) Biomass mission on Tuesday.Esa's Earth Observation Programme Board approved the 400m-euro (£340m) Biomass mission 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 the Earth's magnetic field, launches this year; with satellites to study the wind and fine particles in the atmosphere further back in the development schedule.A fourth, to study the Earth's magnetic field, launches this year; with satellites to study the wind and fine particles in the atmosphere further back in the development schedule.
Biomass will be a 1.2-tonne satellite at launch, meaning it will probably go up on Esa's new Vega rocket, which successfully conducted only its second flight overnight.Biomass will be a 1.2-tonne satellite at launch, meaning it will probably 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. It will sense the volume of material at a resolution of about 200m. In essence, it will be able to weigh the amount of carbon tied up in the world's forests.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. It will sense the volume of material at a resolution of about 200m. In essence, it will be able to weigh the amount of carbon tied up in the world's forests.
A 12m reflector will be needed to capture the return signal from the radar pulse. A 12m antenna will be needed to capture the return signal from the radar pulse.
An antenna of this size 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.An antenna of this size 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.
Currently, Biomass will not be permitted to operate over North America, Europe and the Arctic.Currently, Biomass will not be permitted to operate over North America, Europe and the Arctic.
The US Department of Defense says the spacecraft's radar would interfere with its missile early-warning and space-tracking systems.The US Department of Defense says the spacecraft's radar would interfere with its missile early-warning and space-tracking systems.
Prof Quegan said a dialogue with the DoD to get some operational data over these regions would undoubtedly continue as the mission moved towards its launch date, but even if the Americans stood firm on the issue the loss of coverage would not severely impact the project's science.Prof Quegan said a dialogue with the DoD to get some operational data over these regions would undoubtedly continue as the mission moved towards its launch date, but even if the Americans stood firm on the issue the loss of coverage would not severely impact the project's science.
"First of all, it hardly affects the tropics where the really big unknowns are," he explained."First of all, it hardly affects the tropics where the really big unknowns are," he explained.
"It doesn't affect the whole of Eurasia where the big aboreal forests are found; and it doesn't affect the temperate forests of China where the biggest re-growth on the planet is occurring. And in terms of REDD countries, we lose just a handful." "It doesn't affect the whole of Eurasia where the big boreal forests are found; and it doesn't affect the temperate forests of China where the biggest re-growth on the planet is occurring. And in terms of REDD countries, we lose just a handful."
The UK's Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc) has funded much of the basic science underpinning the Biomass concept.The UK's Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc) has funded much of the basic science underpinning the Biomass concept.
"We're delighted to see that Esa has selected the mission and regards it as scientifically important," said chief executive Prof Duncan Wingham."We're delighted to see that Esa has selected the mission and regards it as scientifically important," said chief executive Prof Duncan Wingham.
"Nerc is really looking forward to the marvellous science that this mission will provide and in particular the greater understanding it will give us of the carbon cycle, which is its primary goal," he told BBC News."Nerc is really looking forward to the marvellous science that this mission will provide and in particular the greater understanding it will give us of the carbon cycle, which is its primary goal," he told BBC News.
Britain is a senior partner in Esa's Earth observation programme and will be expecting a significant industrial role in the Biomass mission.Britain is a senior partner in Esa's Earth observation programme and will be expecting a significant industrial role in the Biomass mission.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmosJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos