The EarthCARE satellite, developed by the University of Reading's Professor Anthony Illingworth, was first conceived in 1993 and adopted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2004. It will launch from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on a SpaceX rocket, scheduled for no earlier than Tuesday, 28 May 2024.
The mission showcases UK and international collaboration and the value of long-term research. Equipped with four advanced instruments, the satellite will offer detailed insights into the interactions between clouds, aerosols, and the climate, informing future climate policies.
Professor Anthony Illingworth, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Reading, stated, "When we first started dreaming up this project, I never imagined I would be flying out to the United States to watch our satellite launch 30 years later. It's been a long and challenging journey with an amazing team of dedicated scientists and engineers from the UK and abroad. Together, we've created something truly remarkable that will change the way we understand our planet."
He added, "The data we gather from EarthCARE will be invaluable in helping us observe the precise mechanisms involved in how clouds and dust reflect and absorb heat. This will make our predictions for the future of our climate even more precise, meaning we can make more informed decisions about how to mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by a warming world."
Professor Illingworth also noted, "The extraordinary data we receive will help us create a more sustainable future for our planet. It's a humbling and thrilling experience to be part of something so significant."
The satellite will feature a 2.5-metre wide antenna and advanced lidar and radar technology for detailed vertical profiles of clouds. It also includes a radiometer and a multi-spectral imager, powered by an 11-metre solar panel.
These instruments will provide unprecedented data on cloud structure and aerosols, aiding scientists in understanding their role in reflecting solar radiation and trapping infrared radiation from Earth's surface.
Current climate models differ on the impact of clouds and aerosols on global warming. EarthCARE's data will help refine these models, leading to better climate predictions and policy decisions.
Scheduled to operate for three years, the satellite will orbit Earth every 90 minutes at a height of 393 km, optimizing daytime observations. It is the largest mission within the ESA's Earth Explorer program.
The mission is a collaboration between the ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, involving 23 UK partners, including the National Centre for Earth Observation, the universities of Reading, Oxford, and Leicester, Imperial College, Airbus, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, along with international partners such as the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
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