Published: Monday, May 20, 2020
EarthCARE over Europe Credit: ESA
After more than 30 years in planning, a brand new satellite will launch that will revolutionize the way we understand how aerosols and clouds play a role in climate change.
Anthony Illingworth, Professor at the University of Reading, is the creator of EarthCARE. The project, which was conceived in 1993, was adopted by the European Space Agency in 2004.
Elon Musk SpaceX is scheduled to launch the satellite no earlier than Tuesday, 28 May 2024.
This mission is a testimony to the strength of U.K.-international collaboration, and the importance long-term research. The satellite is equipped with four advanced instruments that will give unprecedented insight into the complex interactions of clouds, aerosols and Earth’s climate.
These data will be essential in helping us to understand climate change, and inform future policies on climate adaptation and mitigation.
Professor Anthony Illingworth of Atmospheric Physics, University of Reading said: “When I first dreamed up this project I never imagined I’d be flying to the United States 30 years later to witness our satellite launch.
It’s been an incredibly long and difficult journey, with a team of scientists and engineers dedicated to their work from the U.K. as well as other countries. Together, we have created something truly amazing that will change our understanding of the planet.
The data that we collect from EarthCARE is invaluable for observing the exact mechanisms of how dust and clouds reflect and absorb heat. The data will help us make better predictions about the future of the climate, allowing us to make more informed choices on how to adapt and mitigate the effects of global warming.
The extraordinary data that we receive will allow us to create a sustainable future for the planet. “It’s an incredibly humbling experience to be a part of something this significant.”
Fantastic Four
The satellite, which has a 2.5 meter antenna, will be using state-of-the art lidar and Radar that have never been flown before in space to provide unique vertical profiles of cloud. The satellite is also equipped with a radiometer and multi-spectral imaging system. Its 11-meter-long solar panel powers the satellite.
The four instruments will provide scientists with unprecedented data on aerosols and cloud structure, helping them to better understand how clouds and aerosols work in reflecting solar radiation back into space and trapping the infrared radiation from Earth’s surface.
Climate models are not in agreement on the effectiveness of clouds and aerosols to influence global warming. If there were less cloudy days, for example, the sun’s energy would be reflected into space more, increasing the rate of global warming.
EarthCARE’s observations will allow scientists to create more accurate climate models. This will lead to better climate predictions, and more informed policies.
Collaborations between the UK and other countries
The satellite will operate for three full years. The satellite will orbit Earth in a 393 km high orbit every 90 minutes, crossing the Equator early in the afternoon to maximize daytime observations. It is the most complex and largest mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) Earth Explorer Program.
Airbus, National Center for Atmospheric Science and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., as well as 23 U.K. collaborators, including the National Center for Earth Observation, Imperial College, Reading, Oxford, and Leicester universities, Airbus and the National Center for Atmospheric Science have all contributed to the satellite mission.
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Satellite mission to uncover how clouds affect future climate change (2024 May 20)
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Source: Phys.org