ADM-Aeolus

Aeolus mission overview

ADM-Aeolus

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

 
 
 
Last update: 19 January 2012

Related links
•	EADS Astrium (http://www.astrium.eads.net)