Biomass P-band SAR interferometric mission selected as 7th Earth Explorer Mission

Abstract:
Earth Explorers are the backbone of the science and research element of ESA’s Living Planet Programme, providing an important contribution to the global endeavor of understanding the Earth system. Biomass carrying a P-band interferometric and polarimetric SAR for global observation of above ground biomass and associated geophysical parameters as a primary objective has been selected for implementation as the 7th Earth Explorer Mission. Biomass has been defined in detail through two parallel and competing industrial Phase A studies followed by two parallel Phase B1 currently on-going and complementary science and technology studies. This paper gives an overview of the Biomass mission and detailed information of the payload and observation principle to achieve the scientific objectives.