An £800 million satellite developed in Didcot is set to be launched after more than 30 years of planning.

The EarthCARE satellite is the brainchild of the University of Reading’s Professor Anthony Illingworth.

Conceived in 1993, the project was adopted by the European Space Agency (ESA), which is based in Harwell, near Didcot, in 2004.

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The satellite is set to blast off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on board one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets, scheduled for launch on Tuesday, May 28.  

The aim of the satellite is to improve the understanding of the role clouds and aerosol particles play in climate change.

The satellite, equipped with four cutting-edge instruments, will provide unprecedented insights into the complex interactions between clouds, aerosols, and Earth's climate.

This data will be used in shaping the understanding of climate change and informing future climate adaptation and mitigation policies. 

Anthony Illingworth, professor of atmospheric physics at the University of Reading, said: "When we first started dreaming up this project, I never imagined I would be flying out to the United States to watch our satellite launch 30 years later.

"It's been a long and challenging journey with an amazing team of dedicated scientists and engineers from the UK and abroad.

Herald Series: EarthCARE satellite EarthCARE satellite (Image: The European Space Agency)"Together, we've created something truly remarkable that will change the way we understand our planet. 

“The data we gather from EarthCARE will be invaluable in helping us observe the precise mechanisms involved in how clouds and dust reflect and absorb heat.

"This will make our predictions for the future of our climate even more precise, meaning we can make more informed decisions about how to mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by a warming world.  

“The extraordinary data we receive will help us create a more sustainable future for our planet. It's a humbling and thrilling experience to be part of something so significant." 

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The satellite is due to operate for three years.

It will circle Earth every 90 minutes in a 393km-high orbit, crossing the equator in the early afternoon to optimise daytime observations.

To date, it stands as the largest and most complex mission within the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Explorer programme. 

The satellite mission, which is a joint venture between the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has involved 23 UK collaborators.

This includes the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO), the universities of Reading, Oxford and Leicester, Imperial College, Airbus, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, and international partners such as the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.