The launch of the EarthCARE probe into space on Wednesday marks a significant step in improving weather forecasts and climate predictions. The satellite, which took off on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, aims to help scientists better understand the role that clouds and aerosols like dust and smoke play in warming and cooling the Earth’s atmosphere.
Originally conceived by Professor Anthony Illingworth over 30 years ago at the University of Reading, the project was accepted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2004 and later became a joint mission with the Japanese space agency Jaxa. Data from EarthCARE, known as the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer, is expected to help mitigate the threats posed by global warming.
Clouds are crucial in regulating the planet’s temperature by reflecting sunlight back into space and retaining heat, but there is still much unknown about how they impact the Earth’s climate system. The satellite, weighing just over two tons and measuring more than 17 meters long, is equipped with four instruments to analyze cloud structures, capture images, and measure the heat captured by clouds from the Sun.
Once in orbit, EarthCARE will circle the Earth every 90 minutes at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers. The three-year mission, costing over 800 million euros, is expected to provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between clouds and climate.
