SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Launches ESA EarthCARE Satellite

EarthCARE aims to enhance climate and weather models by studying clouds and aerosols from a sun-synchronous orbit.

EarthCARE, a joint mission by ESA and JAXA, will use four instruments to gather data on atmospheric particles.
The satellite's launch was initially planned on a Russian rocket but shifted to Falcon 9 due to geopolitical issues.
EarthCARE will undergo a six-month commissioning period before starting its primary mission, expected to last at least three years.
The mission addresses the thermal balance of Earth, crucial for improving climate and weather predictions.
ESA continues to rely on SpaceX for launches until the Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets are operational.