Transition to Mission Operation Phase and Release of Level 1 Product of Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) onboard Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) \u201cHakuryu\u201d<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology<\/p>\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n \u2003The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, President: Hiroshi Yamakawa) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: Hideyuki Tokuda) have successfully completed the commissioning and the initial calibration & validation\u3000 for the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR(*1)), which was jointly developed by JAXA and NICT, onboard Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) (Nickname: \u201cHakuryu\u201d(*2)). The operations have moved to the mission operation phase. Also, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the successful completion of the initial calibration validation verification of the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID), the Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI), and the Broad-Band Radiometer (BBR).
\u2003Accordingly, we are pleased to announce that Level 1 Product releases of all sensors onboard the EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” are set to commence.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Initial Calibration Validation Verification Results
\n <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n \u2003The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” was launched on May 29, 2024 (Japan Standard Time) and the initial calibration & validation was carried out as follows:\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n- \n \u2022<\/span>
\n Verification of on-board sensors: The functional and performance of the installed sensors (Cloud Profiling Radar, Atmospheric Lidar, Multi-Spectral Imager, Broad-Band Radiometer) were confirmed as nominally operated.<\/span>\n <\/li>\n- \n \u2022<\/span>
\n Data acquisition and initial analysis: The initial analysis of acquired data validated the performance of the sensors as expected.<\/span>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \u2003On January 14, 2025, we start releasing Level 1 Product, which contains engineering values converted from observation data of individual sensors, following the completion of the initial calibration & validation . (Appendix: Observation examples)\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n- \u2022 CPR Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n- Data on the vertical distribution and up and down motions of clouds\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022 ATLID Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n- Data on the vertical distribution of clouds and aerosols\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022\tMSI Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n- Data on the horizontal distribution of clouds and aerosols\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022\tBBR Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n- Data on the radiative distribution of the Earth\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl>\n\n
\n \u2003Above data will be converted into Level 2 Product, which is the geophysical values (Cloud water content, Cloud ice content, Optical Thickness, etc.). In addition, data from multiple sensors of the EarthCARE satellite \u201cHakuryu\u201d will be combined to provide accurate observation data that cannot be obtained from a single sensor alone. This data will be used to improve predictions of future climate change, contributing to studies on adaptation to climate change.
\u2003Level 2 Product will be released gradually from the middle of March 2025. (*3)
\u2003The data is available to anyone from the websites of JAXA and ESA:
\n \u2022
\n JAXA website (Japanese Version)
\n <\/span>
\u2022
\n JAXA website (English Version)
\n <\/span>
\u2022
\n ESA website (English Version)
\n External Link<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n \u2003The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” will continue to acquire observation data throughout its operation. By analyzing acquired data, we will contribute to a better understanding of climate change and the improvement of its prediction accuracy. The data has been distributed only to special users, but with this release, the data will be available to all users, which is expected to increase the use of the data. We deeply appreciate the cooperation and support of stakeholders who assisted in the commissioning and initial calibration validation.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nRole of Each Organization
\n <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n- \u2022 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): <\/dt>\n
- Development of CPR system, development and operation of data processing system and data dissemination system\n <\/dd>\n
- \u2022 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT): <\/dt>\n
- CPR performance evaluation, CPR data processing algorithm development\n <\/dd>\n
- \u2022 European Space Agency (ESA): <\/dt>\n
- Development of three sensors onboard the satellite, development and operation of satellite systems and data processing systems, and data dissemination system\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n
*1<\/p>\n
\n The CPR is the world’s first spaceborne Doppler radar in W-band (94 GHz), jointly developed by JAXA and NICT.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n*3<\/p>\n
\n EarthCARE Products are broadly divided into Level 1 and Level 2.
Level 1: Engineering values converted from observation data acquired by sensors
Level 2: Geophysical values converted based on the engineering values of each sensor
For detailed information, please refer to:
<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n\n \u2003The CPR has continued observations since June 2024. This document presents examples of the CPR Level 1 Product from November 7, 2024. Figure 1 shows an orbit of one complete rotation of The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu”. The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” orbits the Earth approximately 16 times a day, with each orbit taking approximately 90 minutes. Figure 2 shows the vertical distribution of the radar reflectivity and Figure 3 shows the vertical distribution of Doppler velocity, along with the orbit in Figure 1. In Figures 2 and 3, each orbit is divided into eight scenes, each labeled with a letter from A to H.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n <\/div>\n\u00a9JAXA<\/p>\n
\n\n Figure 1: <\/span>Orbit of the EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” (November 7, 2024, Orbit number: 2524).
Each orbit is divided into eight scenes, each labeled with a letter from A to H.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n \u2003The CPR transmits radio waves from space to the Earth and receives the waves that bounce back after hitting cloud particles and raindrops in the sky. The radar reflectivity (Figure 2) represents the strength of these \u201cbounced radio waves\u201d. Higher values mean that there are more cloud droplets or raindrops in the sky. These figures show that various clouds around the globe are observed by the CPR.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n \u2003Doppler velocity (Figure 3) is the vertical motion of cloud particles or raindrops measured based on the Doppler effect. The Doppler effect is famously known as the change in pitch of the sound of an ambulance as it passes by. In the figure, the blue indicates the downward increase in Doppler velocity and corresponds to the fast-falling speed of the raindrops.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n \u2003The cloud and precipitation process, in which cloud droplets grow into rain, plays an important role in numerical models that predict heavy rainfall and future climates. It is expected that observations of different cloud regions by the CPR will help us understand the mechanism by which cloud droplets grow into rain and improve the cloud and precipitation processes in the numerical model, thereby improving the accuracy of predictions. In addition, the effect of clouds on the climate system is greatly influenced by factors such as cloud height, overlapping patterns, and cloud type. Therefore, using the four types of sensors of the EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” with different observation methods to measure vertical distributions of clouds, including their vertical motions on a global scale, will contribute to elucidating the mechanism by which clouds affect climate change.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n![\"Figure](\"https:\/\/global.jaxa.jp\/press\/2025\/01\/images\/20250114-1_02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u00a9JAXA\/NICT<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n Figure 2: <\/span>The vertical distribution of the radar reflectivity is shown for each of the eight scenes A to H. The horizontal axis is longitude (degrees) and the vertical axis is height (km).<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n![\"Figure](\"https:\/\/global.jaxa.jp\/press\/2025\/01\/images\/20250114-1_03.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n\u00a9JAXA\/NICT<\/p>\n
\n\n Figure 3: <\/span>The vertical distribution of the Doppler velocity is shown for each of the eight scenes A to H. The horizontal axis is longitude (degrees) and the vertical axis is height (km).
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n
\n \u2003The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” was launched on May 29, 2024 (Japan Standard Time) and the initial calibration & validation was carried out as follows:\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
- \n
- \n \u2022<\/span>
\n Verification of on-board sensors: The functional and performance of the installed sensors (Cloud Profiling Radar, Atmospheric Lidar, Multi-Spectral Imager, Broad-Band Radiometer) were confirmed as nominally operated.<\/span>\n <\/li>\n- \n \u2022<\/span>
\n Data acquisition and initial analysis: The initial analysis of acquired data validated the performance of the sensors as expected.<\/span>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \u2003On January 14, 2025, we start releasing Level 1 Product, which contains engineering values converted from observation data of individual sensors, following the completion of the initial calibration & validation . (Appendix: Observation examples)\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
- \n
- \u2022 CPR Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n
- Data on the vertical distribution and up and down motions of clouds\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022 ATLID Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n
- Data on the vertical distribution of clouds and aerosols\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022\tMSI Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n
- Data on the horizontal distribution of clouds and aerosols\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n
- \u2022\tBBR Data<\/dt>\n
: <\/span><\/p>\n
- Data on the radiative distribution of the Earth\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl>\n
\n\n \u2003Above data will be converted into Level 2 Product, which is the geophysical values (Cloud water content, Cloud ice content, Optical Thickness, etc.). In addition, data from multiple sensors of the EarthCARE satellite \u201cHakuryu\u201d will be combined to provide accurate observation data that cannot be obtained from a single sensor alone. This data will be used to improve predictions of future climate change, contributing to studies on adaptation to climate change.
\u2003Level 2 Product will be released gradually from the middle of March 2025. (*3)
\u2003The data is available to anyone from the websites of JAXA and ESA:
\n \u2022
\n JAXA website (Japanese Version)
\n <\/span>
\u2022
\n JAXA website (English Version)
\n <\/span>
\u2022
\n ESA website (English Version)
\n External Link<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n \u2003The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” will continue to acquire observation data throughout its operation. By analyzing acquired data, we will contribute to a better understanding of climate change and the improvement of its prediction accuracy. The data has been distributed only to special users, but with this release, the data will be available to all users, which is expected to increase the use of the data. We deeply appreciate the cooperation and support of stakeholders who assisted in the commissioning and initial calibration validation.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nRole of Each Organization
\n <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n- \n
- \u2022 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): <\/dt>\n
- Development of CPR system, development and operation of data processing system and data dissemination system\n <\/dd>\n
- \u2022 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT): <\/dt>\n
- CPR performance evaluation, CPR data processing algorithm development\n <\/dd>\n
- \u2022 European Space Agency (ESA): <\/dt>\n
- Development of three sensors onboard the satellite, development and operation of satellite systems and data processing systems, and data dissemination system\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n
*1<\/p>\n
\n The CPR is the world’s first spaceborne Doppler radar in W-band (94 GHz), jointly developed by JAXA and NICT.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n*3<\/p>\n
\n EarthCARE Products are broadly divided into Level 1 and Level 2.
Level 1: Engineering values converted from observation data acquired by sensors
Level 2: Geophysical values converted based on the engineering values of each sensor
For detailed information, please refer to:
<\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n\n \u2003The CPR has continued observations since June 2024. This document presents examples of the CPR Level 1 Product from November 7, 2024. Figure 1 shows an orbit of one complete rotation of The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu”. The EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” orbits the Earth approximately 16 times a day, with each orbit taking approximately 90 minutes. Figure 2 shows the vertical distribution of the radar reflectivity and Figure 3 shows the vertical distribution of Doppler velocity, along with the orbit in Figure 1. In Figures 2 and 3, each orbit is divided into eight scenes, each labeled with a letter from A to H.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n <\/div>\n\u00a9JAXA<\/p>\n
\n\n Figure 1: <\/span>Orbit of the EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” (November 7, 2024, Orbit number: 2524).
Each orbit is divided into eight scenes, each labeled with a letter from A to H.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n \u2003The CPR transmits radio waves from space to the Earth and receives the waves that bounce back after hitting cloud particles and raindrops in the sky. The radar reflectivity (Figure 2) represents the strength of these \u201cbounced radio waves\u201d. Higher values mean that there are more cloud droplets or raindrops in the sky. These figures show that various clouds around the globe are observed by the CPR.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n \u2003Doppler velocity (Figure 3) is the vertical motion of cloud particles or raindrops measured based on the Doppler effect. The Doppler effect is famously known as the change in pitch of the sound of an ambulance as it passes by. In the figure, the blue indicates the downward increase in Doppler velocity and corresponds to the fast-falling speed of the raindrops.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n \u2003The cloud and precipitation process, in which cloud droplets grow into rain, plays an important role in numerical models that predict heavy rainfall and future climates. It is expected that observations of different cloud regions by the CPR will help us understand the mechanism by which cloud droplets grow into rain and improve the cloud and precipitation processes in the numerical model, thereby improving the accuracy of predictions. In addition, the effect of clouds on the climate system is greatly influenced by factors such as cloud height, overlapping patterns, and cloud type. Therefore, using the four types of sensors of the EarthCARE satellite “Hakuryu” with different observation methods to measure vertical distributions of clouds, including their vertical motions on a global scale, will contribute to elucidating the mechanism by which clouds affect climate change.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n\u00a9JAXA\/NICT<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n Figure 2: <\/span>The vertical distribution of the radar reflectivity is shown for each of the eight scenes A to H. The horizontal axis is longitude (degrees) and the vertical axis is height (km).<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n <\/div>\n\u00a9JAXA\/NICT<\/p>\n
\n\n Figure 3: <\/span>The vertical distribution of the Doppler velocity is shown for each of the eight scenes A to H. The horizontal axis is longitude (degrees) and the vertical axis is height (km).
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n
- \n \u2022<\/span>