Vega C Successfully Launches ESA’s Biomass Satellite into Orbit

On April 29, 2025, an Avio-built Vega C rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, successfully deploying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass satellite into orbit. The 35-meter-tall rocket launched from the ELV pad at 11:15 CET, and after approximately 57 minutes, the 1,131-kilogram Biomass satellite was released into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 666 kilometers. ESA confirmed the satellite’s first signal was received via a ground station in Antarctica, marking a key milestone.

The mission now enters a critical commissioning phase, which includes deploying the satellite’s 12-meter-wide mesh reflector, supported by a 7.5-meter-long boom. This deployment will occur in stages: the boom will extend over three seven-minute phases, with one phase completed daily to allow for verification. Once the boom is fully extended, the wire mesh antenna will unfurl over approximately 20 minutes.

What is the Biomass Satellite?

Selected in 2013 as ESA’s seventh Earth Explorer Mission, Biomass aims to address vital scientific questions about Earth’s ecosystems using advanced satellite technology. In 2015, ESA Member States approved full implementation, awarding a €229 million contract to Airbus Defence and Space UK to construct the satellite. Biomass is equipped with the first spaceborne P-band synthetic aperture radar, capable of penetrating forest canopies to measure carbon stored in trees’ woody parts. Over its 5.5-year mission, Biomass will map global forest biomass and monitor changes, providing essential data on carbon stocks critical to understanding the global climate system.

Vega C’s Resilient Return

Vega C faced a setback in December 2022 when its first commercial flight failed due to issues with the Zefiro 40 second stage’s nozzle insert material. After a subsequent ground test with new material also failed, the motor was redesigned. Following two successful ground tests, Vega C resumed flights in December 2024 and has since maintained a perfect success rate, with the Biomass launch reinforcing its reliability.

Impact on Tree Planting

The data collected by Biomass will enhance global efforts to combat climate change by providing precise measurements of forest carbon stocks. This information will guide reforestation and afforestation initiatives, ensuring tree-planting programs are strategically implemented in areas with the greatest potential for carbon sequestration. By identifying regions where forests are declining or thriving, Biomass will help policymakers and environmental organizations optimize tree-planting efforts, amplifying their impact on mitigating global warming.