A satellite that will look inside clouds to help make more accurate weather forecasts and climate predictions has been launched into space. EarthCARE blasted off on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The probe will help scientists understand how clouds and aerosols such as dust and smoke play a role in heating and cooling the Earth’s atmosphere.
The satellite will also measure radiation emitted by the planet. Many of its components, including the main structure and two key instruments, were built in the UK. Data from EarthCARE – which stands for Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer – could help in mitigating the threats posed by global warming, experts say.
It is the brainchild of Professor Anthony Illingworth, from the University of Reading, who conceived the idea more than 30 years ago. The project was adopted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2004, and later became a joint mission with the Japanese space agency, Jaxa. Thorsten Fehr, ESA’s EarthCARE mission scientist, described the launch as “one of the greatest moments in my professional life”.
He said: “It was just such an exciting moment to see this perfect launch and deployment of the satellite.” Bjorn Frommknecht, ESA’s EarthCARE mission manager, said: “I’m speechless..
. it’s very beautiful emotions and very intense. “We have been waiting for that (EarthCARE satellite launch) for a very long time.
” Clouds play a vital role in controlling the .
