The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The radiation budget’s delicate balance is a key factor in regulating Earth’s climate – the budget integrates almost all of the physical processes affecting Earth’s climate. The radiation budget refers to the equilibrium between the incoming solar radiation from the Sun and the outgoing thermal radiation emitted by the Earth. This balance is vital for maintaining a relatively stable temperature on our planet and is influenced by various factors, including clouds, aerosols, greenhouse gases and surface properties.
Understanding and monitoring Earth's radiation balance is crucial for studying and addressing climate-related issues.
ESA’s EarthCARE mission carries a suite of instruments to answer critical scientific questions related to the role that clouds and aerosols play in reflecting incident solar radiation back out to space and trapping infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s surface. Although clouds play an extremely important role in atmospheric heating and cooling, they remain one of the biggest mysteries – in fact the least understood factor – in our understanding of how the atmosphere drives the climate system.