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| ESA's wind mission ADM-Aeolus Science Mission Data Services CalendarContact us
| | | | | | | ADM-Aeolus mission overview
The central aim of the ADM-Aeolus mission is to further our knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere and weather systems. By recording and monitoring the weather in different parts of the world, ADM-Aeolus will allow scientists to build complex models of our environment, which can then be used to help predict how that environment will behave in the future. These predictions will be useful in the short-term, since they can be applied to Numerical Weather Prediction in order to make forecasts more accurate. The ADM-Aeolus mission will thus improve our knowledge of all sorts of weather phenomena, from global warming to the effects of pollution.
ADM-Aeolus will fly in a rather low Sun-synchronous orbit of 400 km and will always be in the dusk or dawn position. The wind will be measured at 90 degrees to the satellite ground track on the night side of the Earth.
Mission status
Phase A (feasibility study) was successfully completed by the end of 1999. At the end of Phase A technological work proceeded rapidly on laser and receiver design and breadbording. In July 2002, the ADM-Aeolos mission entered Phase B, which is the design specification stage. In May 2005, thermal tests on the structural model of ALADIN started.
The prime contractor is Astrium UK with Astrium France responsible for the payload (ALADIN). ADM-Aeolus is expected to launch in 2011.
Last update: 17 August 2009 | |
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