The European Space Agency (ESA) has made an exciting announcement that fans of space exploration and climate science will certainly want to hear: the EarthCARE satellite is now fully operational, and its invaluable first level data stream is available for free to everyone! This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to understand the complexities of our atmosphere.

Launched in May 2024 as a collaborative initiative between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols, and Radiation Explorer) is designed to unravel a critical question in Earth science: how do clouds and aerosols influence the heating and cooling effects on our planet's atmosphere?

The satellite is equipped with four sophisticated instruments that gather essential data:

1. Cloud Profiling Radar:

Provided by JAXA, this instrument captures the vertical structure of clouds and their internal dynamics.

2. Atmospheric Lidar:

This tool offers profiles of aerosols and thin clouds, including cloud-top information.

3. Multispectral Imager:

Capable of presenting a wide-scene overview in various wavelengths, this imager provides comprehensive snap-shots of atmospheric phenomena.

4. Broadband Radiometer:

This instrument measures both reflected solar radiation and outgoing infrared energy from Earth.

Earlier, data from these instruments was limited to ESA project and validation teams, but EarthCARE has now passed its commissioning phase, paving the way for public access. ESA’s EarthCARE Mission Manager, Bjoern Frommknecht, expressed enthusiasm over this milestone: "We are proud to announce that EarthCARE finished its commissioning phase towards the end of 2024, and we are now starting to publish the first-level data stream online."

The announcement comes at a crucial time as the satellite’s first images show significant climate events in action. For instance, Level-1 data gathered on January 9, 2025, revealed smoke layers from the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, highlighting how aerosols—tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere—are transported across vast distances, influenced by strong winds.

Aerosols do not just impact air quality; they play a vital role in the Earth’s climate. By reflecting and absorbing solar radiation and trapping outgoing thermal energy, they can directly affect global temperatures. Furthermore, aerosols may facilitate cloud formation, creating an indirect influence on climate patterns.

Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, congratulated all involved in the groundbreaking EarthCARE mission, remarking, "It is not only the largest Earth Explorer mission we've developed but also the most complex. Now, with open access to the data, anyone can benefit from years of research and hard work."

The public can access the EarthCARE Level-1 data via the ESA Online Data Dissemination website, simply by creating an account. This initiative is expected to spur new scientific discoveries about our ever-changing atmosphere, especially in the context of the climate crisis that we face today.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the data that could change the way we understand climate change! Act now, sign up, and be a part of this transformative journey in Earth science!