Biomass represents an innovative leap in Earth observation. As the seventh mission in ESA’s Earth Explorer Programme, it breaks new ground as the first satellite to deliver P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurements from space. By utilizing a fully polarimetric system and collecting tomographic data, the mission provides a unique capability to penetrate dense forest canopies and map 3D vegetation structures. This advanced SAR configuration offers an unprecedented dataset for quantifying global forest biomass and refining models of the terrestrial carbon cycle.
Beyond forestry, its long-wavelength signals provide new insights into subsurface geology in deserts, the internal structure of ice sheets, and the dynamics of the ocean and ionosphere.
This hackathon offers an exciting opportunity for Biomass pros and newcomers alike to collaborate, share insights, and help improve the Multi-Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform (MAAP) and the BioPAL open-source processor suite during a hands-on week of coding.