Airbus announced that it has successfully completed the test Electromagnetic compatibility of the EarthCARE satellite It aims to help scientists better understand climate change regarding clouds, aerosols and radiation.
european shipbuilders explained that the satellite is designed for European Space Agency (ESA)) is nearing release next year.
“Although temperature increases can be analyzed on the ground, satellite-derived information provides a valuable complementary source of data that helps refine forecast models,” said the Airbus team.
Earthcare, a European Joint Venture (ESA) why Japan (Japanese Space Agency JAXA), Who want to quantify the role of clouds and aerosols in heating and cooling the Earth’s atmosphere.
support more than 200 research institutes around the world, Scientists will be able to use the data to build accurate models of the cloud’s evolution, behaviour, structure and interactions Aerosol.
Clouds affect Earth’s energy balance (the balance between the energy that enters from the Sun and that leaves the Earth), climate and weather.
That is, some clouds reflect solar energy back into space, thereby contributing to cooling. others act as a “Manto” radioactive, retaining part of the energy emitted by Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere and contributing to warming.
Besides, Aerosols affect the life cycle of clouds, Because they absorb and retain water or become the nucleus of cloud droplets. They indirectly contribute to radiative forcing, measuring changes in the energy balance Tierra.
“Predicting temperature variation is really difficult, because there are many uncertainties and different parameters to be taken into account in the models,” he explains. Maximilian Sauer, Head of the EarthCare Project at Airbus Defense and Space.
EarthCare will revolve around the Earth in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit Which will cross the equator in the early afternoon to optimize daylight conditions. The mission will measure outgoing radiation levels as well as the vertical structure and horizontal distribution of cloud and aerosol fields.
computer model Those being developed will make it possible to more accurately represent the process of heating or cooling that is taking place on our planet. The data will also help scientists better understand the interrelationships between clouds and precipitation. Its effect on radiation and the balance between the cooling and heating effects of clouds.
