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| | | | | | | Aeolus mission overview
ADM-Aeolus
The Atmospheric Dynamics Mission Aeolus will provide global observation of wind profiles from space. The main aim is to further our knowledge of Earth’s atmosphere and weather systems.
The mission will provide global observations of wind profiles from space to improve the quality of weather forecasts and advance our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and climate processes.
By demonstrating new laser technology, Aeolus is seen as a pre-operational mission that will pave the way for future meteorological satellites to measure wind.
Aeolus carries breakthrough technology in the form of an innovative instrument called Aladin – an atmospheric laser Doppler instrument. It uses ‘light scattering’ and the Doppler Effect to gather data on wind.
The satellite is designed to fly at an altitude of about 400 km in a Sun-synchronous dawn/dusk orbit. Data are sent to a ground station in Svalbard, Norway, every orbit.
The data will then be processed into wind profiles and sent to various meteorological offices to be used in weather forecasts.
| Aeolus | Mission essentials | | Launch | 2013 | | Duration | 3 years (plus 3-month commissioning) | | Orbit | Sun-synchronous | | – altitude | 408 km | | – inclination | 97º | | Payload | Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument ‘Aladin’ – a direct detection Doppler wind lidar | | | Transmitter and receiver | | Mass | 1100 kg (including fuel) | | Dimensions | 4.60 ×1.9 × 2.0 m (launch configuration) | | Prime contractor | EADS Astrium UK (Astrium FR responsible for Aladin payload) | | Launcher | Compaitible with small launcher, e.g. Rockot/Vega |
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Last update: 19 January 2012 | |
| | Related links EADS Astrium
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