Forests are famously mysterious—lush green canopies on the surface, intricate ecosystems beneath. But thanks to the newly launched Biomass satellite from the European Space Agency, we’re about to get X-ray vision for trees. That’s right: Biomass is the world’s first satellite equipped with a P-band radar, capable of seeing through forest canopies and measuring the woody biomass of entire ecosystems.
In short, it’s like giving Earth a CT scan… but for climate action.
So What Makes Biomass Special?
Unlike optical, LiDAR, or X-Band SAR satellites that just skim the leafy tops, Biomass uses long-wavelength radar to pierce through leaves, branches, and cloud cover to map the actual structure and volume of forests. We're talking about data on above-ground carbon stocks, forest growth, degradation, and even the secrets of tropical jungles where optical sensors have long thrown up their hands in leafy surrender.
Cue dramatic music... and enter: Kumi Analytics.
At Kumi Analytics, we translate complex satellite data into business decisions that make both dollars and sense. With Biomass data on the table, our remote sensing models for carbon, forest degradation, and land use can now go deeper—literally.
We’ve already been delivering forest monitoring solutions for carbon developers (check out our profile on OxCarbon) as well as carbon risk models for insurers. And thanks to our recent MoU with NUS-CRISP, we’re also diving into blue carbon mapping for mangroves and coastal ecosystems.
The Biomass satellite will add another layer to our Earth-watching data stack. With its detailed view of forest structure, we’ll be able to:
Improve estimates of above-ground carbon for forest carbon credits
Detect forest degradation long before it’s visible to the naked eye
Offer better reporting for sustainable finance and ESG disclosure
Help companies manage land-based assets more efficiently
And the best part? We turn this scientific wizardry into intuitive information that business users can actually use.
The Future of Forest Monitoring Is Here
We believe the future lies at the intersection of space-age technology and grounded, evidence-based decision making. With satellites like Biomass and partners like NUS-CRISP, we’re building capabilities that help companies not just offset carbon, but understand and actively manage the nature they depend on.
Forests store carbon, protect biodiversity, and keep our planet liveable—and now, thanks to the latest technology, we will be able see them even more clearly. Kumi Analytics is here to turn that clarity into action.
If this excites you—share it! Help your network see how data from space is transforming the way we care for Earth’s ecosystems. Or at the very least, let them know we now have space radar that can spot a tree trunk from 600 km away. How cool is that?
#Forestry #ClimateTech #SatelliteData #Sustainability #Biomass #BlueCarbon #ESG #NatureBasedSolutions #RemoteSensing #OxCarbon #NUS #KumiAnalytics
Adhitya Rajasekaran
Head of Product Management
Adhitya Rajasekaran leads the technology team at Kumi Analytics and has been in the aerospace and deep tech industry for over 5 years. Having played the role of program manager for previous editions of space conferences and other technical roles across the aerospace sector, he has voracious knowledge and unique opinions about the future of deep tech and aerospace. He helps Kumi build and launch modular capabilities that are ahead of the market, providing our clients with future resilient services. He has represented Kumi Analytics and Singapore as an envoy at various events internationally and spoken about the value of satellite data combined with machine learning on multiple stages.