Equipped with four state-of-the-art instruments, EarthCARE makes a range of different measurements that together provide unique insights into the complex interactions between clouds, aerosols and radiation.

The cloud profiling radar is a 94 GHz cloud radar with Doppler capability. It provides vertical profiles of clouds to gain detailed insight into cloud structure.

The atmospheric lidar provides profiles of aerosols, thin clouds and the top of thick clouds. It operates at an ultra-violet wavelength of 355nm and has a high-spectral resolution receiver and depolarisation channel.

The broadband radiometer measures Earth’s reflected solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation. It makes both shortwave and longwave measurements, with three fixed viewing directions pointing fore, nadir and aft.

The multispectral imager provides images to set the overall physical context for the active instruments.

Measurements of the same atmospheric column are made by the four instruments at the same time.