ESA’s EarthCARE mission carries a suite of four 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.

The satellite’s multispectral imager instrument provides an overview in multiple wavelengths to set the scene. The cloud profiling radar detects vertical motion within clouds – providing details on their internal dynamics. Its atmospheric lidar detects the top of clouds and provides profiles of the atmosphere with information on aerosols while its broadband radiometer measures reflected sunlight and heat radiated from Earth.

The data generated by EarthCARE's instruments contribute significantly to advancing our understanding of the interactions between clouds, aerosols and radiation in Earth’s atmosphere.

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