# Biomass

> European Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16039672](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16039672)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/biomass

## Summary
Biomass is a European Earth observation satellite that uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR). It is part of ESA’s Earth Explorer Programme (Earth Explorer 7) and was launched on 2025-04-29 on a Vega C rocket.

## Key Facts
- Biomass is a **synthetic aperture radar satellite** (a SAR-focused radar satellite).  
- Biomass is **Earth Explorer 7** in the **Earth Explorer Programme**.  
- **Launch date:** 2025-04-29 (time qualifier: 09:15).  
- **Launch vehicle:** **Vega C** (mission qualifier: **VV26**).  
- **Launch site / start point:** **Ensemble de Lancement Vega**.  
- **Orbit:** **Sun-synchronous orbit**.  
- **Mass:** **1250 kg** (launch weight) and **1118 kg** (dry weight).  
- **Dimensions:** **5.5 m** height × **2 m** width × **2 m** length.  
- **Design life:** **5.5 years**.  
- **Operators (by role):** European Space Operations Centre (mission control), European Space Research and Technology Centre (project management), ESA Centre for Earth Observation (data processing).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Biomass (satellite)?
A: Biomass is a European Earth observation satellite that carries a synthetic aperture radar instrument. It is part of ESA’s Earth Explorer Programme as Earth Explorer 7.

### Q: When and how was Biomass launched?
A: Biomass was launched on 2025-04-29 (time qualifier: 09:15). It launched on a Vega C rocket (VV26) from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega, with Arianespace listed as the launch contractor.

### Q: What orbit does Biomass operate in?
A: Biomass is in a Sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit type is commonly used for Earth observation missions.

### Q: Who built and operates Biomass?
A: Airbus Defence and Space is listed as the prime contractor (manufacturer), and L3Harris Technologies is listed as manufacturer for the reflector. Operations roles are attributed to ESA centers: ESOC (mission control), ESTEC (project management), and ESA Centre for Earth Observation (data processing).

### Q: What are Biomass’s main physical specifications?
A: Biomass has a launch mass of 1250 kg (and a dry mass of 1118 kg). Its stated dimensions are 5.5 m tall and 2 m by 2 m in width and length, with a design life of 5.5 years.

## Why It Matters
Biomass matters because it is a dedicated European Earth observation mission built around synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a key remote-sensing technology for observing Earth’s surface. As part of ESA’s Earth Explorer Programme (Earth Explorer 7), it represents a structured, research-oriented approach to advancing Earth observation capabilities through specialized satellite missions. Its Sun-synchronous orbit supports consistent observation conditions over time, which is important for repeatable Earth monitoring. The mission is also notable as a multi-organization ESA effort with clearly defined operational responsibilities: mission control at the European Space Operations Centre, project management at the European Space Research and Technology Centre, and data processing at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation. From a space systems perspective, Biomass is a substantial spacecraft (1250 kg launch mass) with a multi-year design life (5.5 years) and a defined launch campaign using Vega C (VV26) from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega, with Arianespace as launch contractor. These attributes place it firmly within Europe’s operational Earth observation infrastructure.

## Notable For
- Being an ESA **Earth Explorer Programme** mission identified as **Earth Explorer 7**.  
- Using **synthetic aperture radar (SAR)** as its carried scientific instrument.  
- Launching on **Vega C** (mission **VV26**) on **2025-04-29** from **Ensemble de Lancement Vega**.  
- Having a stated **design life of 5.5 years**.  
- Defined ESA operational roles spanning **mission control, project management, and data processing** across different ESA centers.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
- **Name:** Biomass  
- **Aliases:** Earth Explorer 7; バイオマス  
- **Description:** European Earth observation satellite  
- **Instance of:** synthetic aperture radar satellite  

### Program Context and Mission Lineage
- **Part of:** Earth Explorer Programme  
  - **Sequence qualifier:** 7 (Earth Explorer 7)  
- **Follows (preceded by):** EarthCARE  
- **Followed by (succeeded by):** FLEX  

### Launch Details
- **Launch date:** 2025-04-29 (time qualifier: 09:15)  
- **Launch vehicle:** Vega C  
  - **Mission qualifier:** VV26  
- **Launch contractor:** Arianespace  
- **Launch site / start point:** Ensemble de Lancement Vega  
- **Significant event:** rocket launch (location qualifier: Ensemble de Lancement Vega; point in time: 2025-04-29)

### Orbit
- **Orbit type:** Sun-synchronous orbit  

### Spacecraft Specifications
- **Mass:**
  - **1250 kg** (criterion used: launch weight)
  - **1118 kg** (criterion used: dry weight)
- **Dimensions:**
  - **Height:** 5.5 m
  - **Width:** 2 m
  - **Length:** 2 m
- **Design life:** 5.5 years (criterion used: design life)

### Power System
- **Powered by:**
  - **Spacecraft solar array** (quantity qualifier: 1; power qualifier: 1500 in unit Q25236 as given in source)
  - **Lithium-ion battery** (capacity qualifier: 156 in unit Q212120 as given in source)

### Payload / Instrumentation
- **Carries scientific instrument:** synthetic aperture radar  

### Organizations and Roles
- **Manufacturer:**
  - Airbus Defence and Space (prime contractor)
  - L3Harris Technologies (applies to part: reflector)
- **Operator (by role):**
  - European Space Operations Centre (mission control center)
  - European Space Research and Technology Centre (project management)
  - ESA Centre for Earth Observation (data processing)

### Identifiers and Links
- **COSPAR ID:** 2025-090A  
- **SCN:** 63372 (preferred); 63774  
- **Official website:** https://www.esa.int/biomass  
- **Wikipedia title:** Biomass (satellite)  
- **Commons category:** Biomass (satellite)  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/12ckhh6y_  
- **Image:** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Vue_d'artiste_du_projet_de_satellite_Biomass_2022_Esa_Copernicus.jpg  

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Biomass",
  "description": "European Earth observation satellite that uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR).",
  "url": "https://www.esa.int/biomass",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass_(satellite)",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123166403"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/BIOMASS_FactSheet_250210.pdf)
2. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/04/biomass-vega-c/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. CelesTrak