X Report 9 Dec 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on the record-breaking 32nd flight of its Falcon 9 rocket. Elon Musk discusses a potential future as a Type II civilization, emphasizing the role of AI and satellite technology.
EarthCARE (59908)
COSPAR: 2024-101A | Alt Name: Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 28, 2024
Launch Site
Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Launch Pad
SLC-4E
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
59908
International Designator
2024-101A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:56:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.06°
Right Ascension
327.06°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
105.21°
Period
92.48 min
Mean Motion
15.57 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
EarthCARE
Alternative Name
Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ESA/JAXA
Country
ESA/JAXA
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launch on 2024-05-28; first data from CPR received on 2024-06-13.
Latest TLEs
1 59908U 24101A 26200.83070081 .00006625 00000+0 93115-4 0 9997
2 59908 97.0552 327.0568 0001561 105.2064 254.9365 15.57024876121646
Source: Celestrak
Summary
EarthCARE is a joint mission by ESA and JAXA, launched on May 28, 2024, from Vandenberg Space Force Base using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has a NORAD catalog ID of 59908 and an OBJECT_ID of 2024-101A. EarthCARE is equipped with four primary instruments: the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID), Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI), and Broad-Band Radiometer (BBR). It measures 2.5 meters in length, has a diameter of 1.6 meters, and spans 17 meters with its solar array deployed. The satellite's dry mass is 1890 kg, and it weighs 2200 kg at launch. EarthCARE operates on a three-axis stabilized platform and is designed to observe the vertical distributions of atmospheric liquid water and ice, cloud-precipitation interactions, aerosol properties, and their radiative impacts globally. The mission's lifetime is projected for 3.5 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.5
Diameter
1.6
Span
17
Dry Mass
1890
Launch Mass
2200
Shape
Box-shaped main body with a large deployable solar array and a prominent 2.5-meter antenna for the Cloud Profiling Radar.
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
White with black and metallic components
Material Composition
Carbon fiber-based platform with aluminum and magnesium alloy components.
Technical Details
Payload
The satellite carries four primary instruments: the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID), Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI), and Broad-Band Radiometer (BBR).
Purpose
To observe the vertical distributions of atmospheric liquid water and ice on a global scale, their transport by clouds, and their radiative impact; to observe cloud distribution, cloud-precipitation interactions, and the characteristics of vertical motions within clouds; to observe the vertical profiles of natural and anthropogenic aerosols on a global scale, their radiative properties, and interaction with clouds; and to retrieve profiles of atmospheric radiative heating and cooling through the combination of the retrieved aerosol and cloud properties.
Mission
EarthCARE is a joint mission by ESA and JAXA designed to advance our understanding of the role that clouds and aerosols play in reflecting solar radiation and trapping infrared radiation, thereby contributing to climate change studies.
Manufacturer
Airbus Defence and Space, RUAG Space
Life Expectancy
3.5 years
Bus
AstroBus-L
Configuration
Three-axis stabilized platform with deployable solar array
Motor
Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS)
Equipment
ATLID, CPR, MSI, BBR
Power System
Deployable solar array providing approximately 21 square meters of surface area, supplemented by batteries.
ADCS
Three-axis stabilization
Transmitter Frequency
ATLID operates at 355 nm; CPR operates at 94.05 GHz.
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 8 Dec 2025
SpaceX faces weather challenges as it scrubs the launch of its 3,000th Starlink satellite. Meanwhile, Elon Musk discusses advancing to a Type II civilization in an engaging social media post.
Space Brief 8 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief covers the landing of the X-37B spaceplane after a 434-day mission, the postponement of SDA's satellite launch, and the fiery debris from SpaceX's Starship over The Bahamas.
SpaceX Plans Seven Rocket Launches From Six Global Sites This Week | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets seven rocket launches from six global sites this week including two Falcon 9 missions from California. 29 Starlink satellites successfully deployed from Cape Canaveral on January 18.
Missile Strikes SES Teleport in Israel; Anduril Buys ExoAnalytic | KeepTrack Space Brief
Missile strike damages SES teleport facility in Israel amid military operations. Anduril acquires ExoAnalytic's 130-person space tracking team, integrating satellite/missile surveillance into defense portfolio.
SpaceX Launches 13th NRO Proliferated Architecture Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief
Falcon 9 successfully deployed NROL-72 for National Reconnaissance Office's 13th proliferated architecture mission. Low-Earth orbit intelligence constellation expanding since 2021.
Space Brief 9 Jul 2025
Today's brief covers the U.S. Space Force's new international strategy, Northrop Grumman's Golden Dome project, and ULA's Vulcan launches, alongside military budget priorities.
ESA-China SMILE Mission Reaches Orbit After 10-Year Push | KeepTrack Space Brief
ESA-China SMILE spacecraft successfully launched from Kourou to image Earth's magnetosphere. First continuous global views of solar wind interaction now in orbit.