ESA’s Earth Explorer Biomass satellite, built by Airbus … aims to fill the gap in our carbon cycle knowledge by providing accurate and detailed data on forest biomass and forest height, supporting our understanding of climate change. …The Biomass satellite will accurately map aboveground biomass (AGB) over large areas using a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). What’s unique about this SAR is that it operates in the P-band wavelength, a first for use in space. The 12-metre-wide wire mesh reflector is provided by L3Harris. Unlike commonly used X-, C-, and L-bands, P-band’s 70 cm wavelength offers distinct advantages. Its longer wavelength enhances the SAR signal’s ability to penetrate the vegetation canopy down to the ground. An electromagnetic wave only interacts with objects of roughly the same size as its wavelength. So, with the P-Band, SAR can “see” all objects of 70 cm and more but not the smallest ones, such as leaves.