Last chance to catch EarthCARE satellite in Europe

Monday, January 15, 2024

On February 1st, members of the media are invited to witness the EarthCARE satellite up close in the cleanroom at Airbus facilities in Friedrichshafen, Germany. This event precedes the satellite’s transportation to California, USA, where it is scheduled for launch in May.

EarthCARE stands as the most extensive and intricate of all Earth Explorer missions undertaken by the European Space Agency (ESA), delivering crucial insights into the functioning of our planet and the impact of human activities on natural processes.

Equipped with four cutting-edge instruments, EarthCARE’s mission involves diverse measurements that will contribute new perspectives on the role of clouds and aerosols in regulating Earth’s delicate temperature balance.

In the face of escalating global climate change, EarthCARE is poised to furnish invaluable data for climate research, enhance the precision of climate models, and support numerical weather prediction.

Media representatives will not only have the opportunity to view the satellite in the cleanroom but also engage in interviews with experts involved in the mission. The event includes a Q&A session, providing further insight into the mission and the future prospects of ESA’s Earth Observation Programme.

Developed through collaboration between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), EarthCARE will have representatives from both organizations present to answer questions. Additionally, experts from Airbus and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) will be available for interviews.

The Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite, scheduled for launch later in the year, will also be on display in the cleanroom.

The event schedule is outlined as follows:

• 09:00 -10:00: Check-in at Airbus cleanroom and welcome coffee
• 10:00 – 11:00: Management introductions and senior expert presentations
• 11:00 – 11:30: Q&A session, including additional spokespeople
• 11:30 – 12:30: Individual interview opportunities (break-out rooms per different languages as needed)
• 12:30 – 14:00: Lunch
• 14:00 – 16:00: Group visits of the cleanroom; EarthCARE satellite photo/video opportunity

An informal off-the-record media dinner is planned for early arrivals on the evening of January 31, with full details communicated to registered media closer to the event.

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