ESAs EarthCARE Satellite Launches on SpaceX Falcon 9 to Study Climate
Summary: ESAs EarthCARE satellite, a joint mission with JAXA, launched on July 26, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 to study Earths radiation balance and improve climate models.
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer satellite, EarthCARE, was successfully launched on July 26, 2026. The satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States, entering its intended orbit as planned. This marks the beginning of the on-orbit mission for the pivotal climate observation satellite, jointly developed over many years by ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
EarthCARE is one of the most advanced satellites ever built for observing Earth's radiation budget. Its primary scientific objective is to provide a deeper understanding of the interactions between clouds, aerosols, and radiation. This knowledge is critical for significantly improving global climate models and enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting. The satellite carries several state-of-the-art scientific instruments, including a multi-beam cloud profiling radar and a broadband radiometer provided by ESA, along with a high-spectral-resolution lidar from JAXA. These instruments will enable unprecedented simultaneous profiling of the atmosphere and observation of the Earth's surface.
The successful execution of this mission stands as a model of international space cooperation. ESA was responsible for the satellite platform, several instruments, and procuring the launch service, while JAXA supplied a key payload and is involved in data processing. The data collected by EarthCARE will be made freely available to the global scientific community, offering essential scientific insights and datasets to address the worldwide challenge of climate change.