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EarthCARE

Overview

EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer) is an ESA Earth observation mission that will investigate the relationship between clouds, aerosols and radiation and their combined effects on the Earth's climate system.

RAL Space involvement

RAL Space provided the Thermal design for the Broadband Radiometer (BBR) instrument aboard EarthCARE, as well as providing optical, mechanical and electrical design for the BBR’s three telescopes. The majority of environmental testing, functional testing and instrument calibration were also completed at RAL Space facilities.
Launch Date
May 2024
Focus
Earth observation
Partners
ESA, Thales Alenia Space, Airbus
EarthCARE satellite in space

Artist's impression of EarthCARE in space. Credit: ESA

Developing the Broadband Radiometer instrument

BBR will use three telescopes looking in three directions at once to study the amount of reflected solar radiation and emitted terrestrial heat. RAL Space designed and built this complex telescope assembly and contributed to the overall thermal design of the instrument. Most of the instrument’s environmental testing and calibration was also performed at RAL Space facilities. BBR’s overall development was led by Thales Alenia Space in the UK.

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