The EarthCARE (Earth Cloud, Aerosol, and Radiation Explorer) mission launched on 28 May 2024, was developed in the framework of Earth Explorer missions, which address key scientific challenges identified by the science community and demonstrate breakthrough technology in observing techniques.
The EarthCARE satellite carries four instruments, the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID) provides vertical profiles of aerosols and thin clouds, the Broad-Band Radiometer (BBR) provides measurements of top-of-the-atmosphere radiances and fluxes. The Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) provides vertical profiles measurements of clouds and observes vertical velocities of cloud particles through Doppler measurements, and the Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI), provides across-track information on clouds and aerosols with channels in the visible, near infrared, shortwave and thermal infrared.
The objectives of the EarthCARE+ Innovation activity include:
Towards that end, five projects were selected:
VAMOS focuses on the scientific exploitation of one of most exciting new measurement capabilities of the EarthCARE satellite mission, the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) Doppler velocity measurements. The availability of Doppler measurements from space will offer a unique opportunity for the collection of a global dataset of vertical motions in clouds and precipitation. In addition, …
Key nutrients deposited in the ocean, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), silica (SiO₂), and iron (Fe), are essential for regulating phytoplankton growth, affecting marine productivity, ocean colour, and the ocean’s capacity to absorb greenhouse gases, as in the case of atmospheric CO2. Among these nutrients, iron (Fe) availability across large oceanic regions of the Earth …
The OCEAN (Ocean Color EarthCARE ANalysis) project, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the EarthCARE+ Innovation program, marks a step forward in satellite oceanography. Harnessing the advanced capabilities of the ATLID (ATmospheric LIDar) instrument aboard the EarthCARE satellite, the project aims to unveil new insights into global ocean ecosystems by analyzing sub-surface backscattered …
Obs3RvE (Optimising 3D RT EarthCARE product using geostationary observations and AI) proposes an innovative approach towards more accurate quantification of the 3D radiative effects of clouds and their impact on climate, utilising the observations of EarthCARE and MTG missions with AI tools. The results of Obs3RvE will also aim to extend the contribution of the …
The Geostationary and Lidar space-borne Aerosol 4-Dimensional Synergy (GLADIS) project aims to develop and validate novel retrieval methods that expand the portfolio of products available from the EarthCARE mission. The primary goal is to generate a highly detailed, 4-dimensional (spatial, temporal, and vertical) aerosol product. This new dataset will help reduce key uncertainties in climate …
