The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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A new era of forest monitoring is quite literally taking off, ushering in what scientists are calling the ‘forest space age’. On April 29, ESA will launch its revolutionary Biomass mission, the first satellite to carry a P-band radar into space – technology that is set to transform how we understand forests and the carbon they store. Along with other space agencies’ instruments already in orbit or soon to be launched, there has never been so many ‘eyes in the sky’ focused on forests.
Yet, the work of people on the ground –often in the most remote and challenging forest regions – also remains essential. This is where the global network of forest scientists, botanists and technicians comes in – many of whom work in challenging, under-resourced and often dangerous conditions.
The photograph shows measurements being taken of a tree in forest close to Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Brazil. In this case, a tricky balancing act.
Read full story: A new space age for forests – but groundwork still matters