# P-SAR (BIOMASS P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar)
*sensor . products*

Fully polarimetric P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, sole imaging payload of the ESA BIOMASS satellite (Earth Explorer 7, launched 29 April 2025). First P-band SAR in orbit for Earth observation. Centre frequency 435 MHz (about 69 cm wavelength). Primary product is global above-ground forest biomass at 4 ha resolution annually; secondary product is forest disturbance detection at about 0.25 ha minimum mapping unit with global revisit every five months in the interferometric phase. Built by Airbus DS UK as prime, with Harris Corporation (12 m deployable mesh reflector) and Thales Alenia Space (feed array) as key subcontractors.

## Specifications
- **product status**: operational
- **manufacturer**: airbus-ds
- **sensor**: {"instrument_family":"sar","measurement_principle":"active","frequency_band":"P","centre_frequency_mhz":435,"chirp_bandwidth_mhz":6,"polarisation_modes":["HH","VV","HV","VH"],"incidence_angle_range_deg":[23,35],"nesz_db":-27,"transmit_power_w":120,"swath_km":50,"modes":[{"name":"Tomographic","resolution_range_m":60,"resolution_azimuth_m":50,"swath_km":50,"polarisation":"HH+VV+HV+VH"},{"name":"Interferometric","resolution_range_m":60,"resolution_azimuth_m":50,"swath_km":50,"polarisation":"HH+VV+HV+VH"}],"notes":"Bandwidth 6 MHz (ITU allocation for P-band EO). NESz threshold -27 dB / goal -30 dB. Cross-talk threshold -25 dB / goal -30 dB. Radiometric stability 0.5 dB (1 sigma). 120 W peak transmit at 12 percent duty cycle. Average PRF 3050 Hz. Instrument mass 206 kg with margin. Three interleaved swaths 23 to 35 degree incidence range. 12 m deployable mesh reflector, offset-feed design."}
- **last verified date**: "2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z"
- **verified by**: sw
- **claim status**: agency-verified
- **deployment context**: orbital

## Compositional position
- biomass (missions) --[mission_payloads]--> P-SAR (BIOMASS P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar)

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/biomass-p-sar
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)