ESA in Darmstadt celebrates satellite launch

Darmstadt (dpa) – The successful launch of the European-Japanese Earth observation satellite EarthCARE marks the start of a new mission for the European Space Agency ESA. Launched in California, the satellite is monitored from the control centre in Darmstadt and is part of the biggest ESA Earth exploration project to date. In an orbit at an altitude of some 400 kilometres, it will undertake a global analysis of the combined impact of clouds, aerosols and solar radiation on the atmosphere, thereby enabling better climate models and weather forecasts. According to ESA, EarthCARE can be used to create the first ever 3D model of the atmosphere across the entire altitude profile. The mission embodies Germany’s space strategy, said Walther Pelzer, Director of the German Space Agency at DLR: “Germany has been involved in space travel for decades with the aim of improving life on Earth.”