The United Kingdom has developed a satellite that would be the first to map the Earth’s forests from space. The spacecraft will offer a glimpse of the changes happening in the planet’s tropical forests, giving proper information needed to develop steps to tackle the issue.
Set to launch on April 29, the Biomass satellite will create a 3D map of tropical forests after 17 months and non-3D maps every nine months throughout its five-year mission. It will provide insights usually hidden from human sight due to the difficulty of accessing these environments.
The Biomass satellite is the product of a collaboration between British academics and engineers, born from a concept introduced by Shaun Quegan of the University of Sheffield. According to Quegan, a professor at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, the mission is the culmination of decades of collaborative innovation with some of the best scientists in Europe and the U.S.
According to British Space Minister Chris Bryant, the Biomass mission shows how the country is taking steps toward establishing its place in the global space industry.
“Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the U.K.’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,” he said.