ESA’s Biomass satellite has been at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana since early March, undergoing final preparations for launch aboard a Vega-C rocket. This timelapse video captures key stages of its journey — from its arrival in Kourou to its installation in the launch tower.

Once in orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle.