<p>Most satellites see the Earth in two dimensions. But what if we could measure not just the surface, but the <strong>height and volume</strong> of what covers it - forests, crops, even infrastructure? That’s the mission of <strong>KappaZeta</strong>, an Estonian startup building a 3D Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation that could transform how we monitor our planet.</p><p>In this episode, we sit down with <strong>Martin Jüssi, Space Mission Manager at KappaZeta</strong>, who takes us on a journey from tinkering with map editors in video games to leading a groundbreaking space mission. We unpack how KappaZeta is turning Europe’s Sentinel-1 satellites into a new kind of forest-monitoring powerhouse, why 3D data is the missing piece for carbon markets, and how Estonia built one of the most dynamic space ecosystems in Europe.</p><p><br></p><p>We also dive into:</p><p>🌲 How 3D SAR can track forest biomass, carbon stock, and timber resources<br>🛰️ Why KappaZeta’s “passive satellites” are a cost-effective way to enhance Sentinel-1<br>⚡ The dual-use potential: from forestry and agriculture to defense and disaster response<br>🇪🇪 How Estonia went from Skype to space startups - and what’s next</p>

NewSpaceVision

NewSpaceVision

#44: Mapping Forests in 3D: KappaZeta’s Bold Satellite Mission (feat. Martin Jüssi, Space Mission Manager)

SEP 22, 202542 MIN
NewSpaceVision

#44: Mapping Forests in 3D: KappaZeta’s Bold Satellite Mission (feat. Martin Jüssi, Space Mission Manager)

SEP 22, 202542 MIN

Description

<p>Most satellites see the Earth in two dimensions. But what if we could measure not just the surface, but the <strong>height and volume</strong> of what covers it - forests, crops, even infrastructure? That’s the mission of <strong>KappaZeta</strong>, an Estonian startup building a 3D Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation that could transform how we monitor our planet.</p><p>In this episode, we sit down with <strong>Martin Jüssi, Space Mission Manager at KappaZeta</strong>, who takes us on a journey from tinkering with map editors in video games to leading a groundbreaking space mission. We unpack how KappaZeta is turning Europe’s Sentinel-1 satellites into a new kind of forest-monitoring powerhouse, why 3D data is the missing piece for carbon markets, and how Estonia built one of the most dynamic space ecosystems in Europe.</p><p><br></p><p>We also dive into:</p><p>🌲 How 3D SAR can track forest biomass, carbon stock, and timber resources<br>🛰️ Why KappaZeta’s “passive satellites” are a cost-effective way to enhance Sentinel-1<br>⚡ The dual-use potential: from forestry and agriculture to defense and disaster response<br>🇪🇪 How Estonia went from Skype to space startups - and what’s next</p>