UK-built Spacecraft Instrument delivered for ESA Climate Satellite

A major landmark has been achieved in the European Space Agency’s EarthCARE mission, with the delivery of the UK-built Broadband Radiometer (BBR) instrument to the satellite’s prime contractor. ESR Technology designed, built and tested the BBR’s bespoke mechanism.

EarthCARE will advance our understanding of the role that clouds and aerosols play in reflecting incident solar radiation back into space, and trapping infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface. The satellite will deliver unprecedented datasets to study the relationship of clouds, aerosols and radiation at accuracy levels that will significantly improve our understanding of these highly variable parameters.

One of four primary instruments on the spacecraft, the BBR will provide measurements of top-of-the-atmosphere radiances and fluxes. It has one short-wave and one long-wave channel with three fixed viewing directions. The UK-developed instrument was led by Thales Alenia Space, with contributions from ESR Technology, RAL Space, SciSys and others. The mechanism design phase was also supported by Spacemech in Bristol.

Grant Munro, who led ESR Technology’s BBR mechanism project team, congratulated everyone in ESR Technology who have helped over recent years to make this challenging project a success.
The satellite is scheduled for launch towards the end of the decade.

For more information contact Grant on +44 (0)1925 853507 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.esa.int and search for EarthCARE.