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
ODU RT

“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
UK Moonlight team expands

Space Events

UK Moonlight team expands

18 July 2025

Viasat, SSTL and MDA Space have announced they are working together to develop designs and proposals for a lunar orbiting communications satellite system around the Moon, called Moonlight.

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

Space

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

16 July 2025

MDA Space Ltd today announced that it will prime SkyPhi, a new mission funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) that will enable regenerative 5G direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

Space

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

16 July 2025

With the UK's £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent – yet more than half of space organisations report critical shortages, a challenge now being tackled by the newly launched Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey.

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

Space

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

15 July 2025

Ahead of the UK Space Conference (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025), Frazer-Nash has announced it is leading a new research programme, known as INVICTUS, to develop a comprehensive concept design for a vehicle and its integrated systems, with the goal of building and flying a Mach 5-capable aircraft at the edge of space by early 2031.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

Space Events

Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

15 July 2025

Celestia UK is announcing at the UK Space Conference 2025 (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025) that it has commenced the preproduction stage of a new generation of ground station gateway.

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

Space

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

14 July 2025

Bright Ascension Ltd has announced the appointment of a new CEO and the launch of its five-year strategic plan.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025