Sri Lanka, April 30 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched a first-of-a-kind satellite yesterday (29), which uses a special radar system to reveal what lies beneath the canopy.

It is hoped it will help scientists better understand the importance of rainforests in storing carbon and the impact of deforestation.

The rocket took off from ESA's Kourou station in French Guiana and flew over the Amazon, one of the rainforests it will study.

The satellite on board has been affectionately named "space brolly" for its giant 12m diameter antenna, which will send out signals.

Positioned in orbit 666km above the Earth's surface, the Biomass satellite will utilise its 12-meter diameter antenna to map the planet's forests.

This t...