Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • ESA-JAXA EarthCARE satellite launched

Space

ESA-JAXA EarthCARE satellite launched

The Airbus-built EarthCARE climate monitoring satellite has been successfully launched from Vandenberg military base, California.



Above: EarthCARE ready in Airbus cleanroom in Friedrichshafen, Germany
Copyright Airbus

EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) is a joint undertaking between the European and Japanese Space Agencies (ESA and JAXA). The satellite will examine the role clouds and aerosols (tiny atmospheric particles) play in reflecting solar radiation back into space (i.e. cooling down the atmosphere) as well as in trapping infrared radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface (i.e. heating up the atmosphere).

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

“EarthCARE is ESA’s largest and most complex Earth Explorer spacecraft – a flagship mission whose data will help improve the accuracy and reliability of climate and numerical weather prediction models,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus. “International cooperation was key with more than 200 research institutes and 45 companies across Europe working hand in hand to deliver this spacecraft.”

EarthCARE will draw up vertical profiles of natural and human-made aerosols, register the distribution of water droplets and ice crystals and how they are transported in clouds, and provide essential input to improve the modelling of the warming climate and weather forecasting. Aerosols influence the life cycle of clouds, and so contribute indirectly to how they give off radiation – measuring them will give a better understanding of Earth’s energy budget.

Instrumental cooperation: one mission, two agencies, four instruments
The spacecraft was developed, built and tested with the involvement of experts from 15 European countries as well as Japan and Canada, under the leadership of Airbus, in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The Airbus-built atmospheric lidar ATLID is one of the four instruments on the EarthCARE satellite, providing vertical profiles of aerosols and thin clouds. ATLID is the second spaceborne ultraviolet lidar from Europe following Aeolus’, making Airbus a worldwide specialist in spaceborne lidars.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The satellite also includes a Broad-Band Radiometer developed by ESA through European industry, a Multi-Spectral Imager developed by Airbus’ subsidiary Surrey Satellite Technology Limited and a Cloud Profiling Radar developed by JAXA.

This unique combination of instruments will allow scientists for the first time to directly assess the role of clouds and aerosols on Earth’s radiation budget with one integrated satellite system thereby reducing current uncertainties.

EarthCARE will circle Earth in a Sun-synchronous 400 km polar orbit crossing the equator in the early afternoon to optimise daylight conditions. Weighing 2.3 tonnes, and measuring 18 metres long, once its solar panel and CPR instrument are deployed EarthCARE will be on duty for at least three years.

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Pulsar Fusion set to conduct UK

Space

Pulsar Fusion set to conduct UK's first fusion space test

10 July 2025

Bletchley-based company Pulsar Fusion is set to become the first British company to test fusion propulsion hardware in space, with the technology having the potential to halve journey times to Mars and beyond.

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

Neo Space acquires UP42 from Airbus Defence and Space

Space

Neo Space acquires UP42 from Airbus Defence and Space

10 July 2025

Saudi Arabia's Neo Space Group (NSG) announced today that the company has completed its previously announced acquisition of UP42 GmbH, the Earth Observation (EO) platform previously owned by Airbus Defence and Space.

GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup sign new Ariane 6 contract

Space

GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup sign new Ariane 6 contract

9 July 2025

GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup have signed a new Frame Contract for the operational phase of Ariane 6, securing Europe’s access to space for years to come and building on a partnership spanning over five decades.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Orbex pre-selected for European Launcher Challenge

Space

Orbex pre-selected for European Launcher Challenge

8 July 2025

Orbex, the UK-based orbital launch services company, has been pre-selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to take part in its prestigious European Launcher Challenge (ELC).

UK achieves silver at the International Youth Rocketry Championships

Space Events

UK achieves silver at the International Youth Rocketry Championships

7 July 2025

A team of four students from Teignmouth Community School in Devon came second in the International Youth Rocketry Championships, narrowly missing pole position in a nail-biting final.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT