Better understanding of climate models will help preserve the health and well-being of our planet.

EarthCARE, (Earth Cloud, Aerosol, and Radiation Explorer), the joint European and Japanese mission, was successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 28th on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The sixth and largest most complex of ESA’s Earth Explorer missions, EarthCARE promises to revolutionize our understanding of the intricate relationship between clouds, aerosols, and radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere that drives the Earth’s climate system by collecting data from never-before-flown high performance Lidar and Radar technology.

EarthCARE © ESA

EarthCARE, built under Airbus prime contractorship, carries four highly advanced instruments: an atmospheric lidar (ATLID), a cloud profiling radar (CPR), a multispectral imager (MSI) and a broad-band radiometer (BBR) under the responsibility of Thales Alenia Space in the UK. The two active instruments, ATLID and CPR, probe the atmosphere to collect data at a microscopic level, observing clouds, aerosols and precipitation. The two passive instruments (MSI and BBR), provide complementary optical and radiation measurements. Thales Alenia Space in Spain provided the S-band TT&C (tracking, telemetry and command) transponders of the spacecraft. The Swiss Team delivered the core of the ATLID Receiver chain: the High Spectral Resolution Etalon (HSRE). ATLID is a Lidar which provides vertical profiles of cloud and aerosol layers.

By providing an holistic view of the Earth’s atmospheric components with unprecedented measurements and insights, EarthCARE will advance knowledge of cloud-aerosol interactions and their impact on the Earth's energy balance. This vital information will support more accurate climate modeling, enable better predictions of future climate scenarios and guide scientists towards improved strategies to mitigate climate change.

The contribution from engineers, scientists and technicians from Thales Alenia Space alongside our Industrial and Institutions partners represents a remarkable achievement in scientific advancement and demonstrates commitment to comprehending and addressing the challenges posed by a rapidly changing climate.