Biomass antenna opens

Just a week after its launch, ESA’s Biomass mission has reached another critical milestone on its path to delivering unprecedented insights into the world’s forests and their vital role in Earth’s carbon cycle – the satellite’s 12-metre-diameter antenna is now fully deployed.

This short animation uses photographs – one of the antenna in its stowed position and one when it had opened fully. The photographs come from a camera installed on the Biomass satellite and offer a rare glimpse into the action in space. The camera was provided by the Swiss company MCSE.

Read full story: Forest satellite’s big antenna opens up