UK experts to develop Aeolus successor
Airbus Space and Defence in the UK is set to begin the design and build of the Aeolus-2 wind mission, following the signing of an authorisation to proceed agreement at the European Space Agency’s site in Oxfordshire.
Building on the success of the original Aeolus satellite, Aeolus-2 is expected to deliver wind data that will enhance operational weather forecasts, after its launch in 2034. It will be developed by Airbus in collaboration with ESA and Eumetsat.
The development of Aeolus-2 as an operational mission is motivated by the impressive performance of the first Aeolus satellite, which launched in 2018 on its mission to explore the use of Doppler lidar technology to measure global wind profiles.
Also supported by Airbus teams in the UK, the original Aeolus mission exceeded its planned design lifetime and outstripped its initial research objectives, successfully demonstrating the potential of Doppler wind lidar to improve weather forecasts and address gaps in existing observing networks.
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd said, “The UK has been at the forefront of satellite weather forecasting since the original Aeolus mission, and I’m delighted that Airbus Defence and Space UK will once again play a leading role in this next chapter. Aeolus-2 will deliver real benefits for people across the UK, from more accurate weather forecasts that protect lives and communities, to the highly skilled jobs that come from being a key partner in Europe’s most ambitious space science programmes.
“Our involvement in Aeolus-2 is made possible by the UK’s continued investment in the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT, ensuring British expertise and industry remain central to cutting-edge space science. This is exactly the kind of high-skilled, high-impact work that demonstrates the UK’s world-leading position in the global space sector.”
ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, said, “Aeolus exceeded expectations and demonstrated the transformative impact that space-based wind observations can have on weather forecasting. Aeolus-2 represents the natural evolution of that achievement – from pioneering research to an operational service that will benefit citizens and businesses worldwide.
“We are happy to provide the authorisation to proceed, which marks an important milestone in ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of atmospheric observation and meteorological innovation.”
Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, said, “Aeolus-2 is more than a scientific mission; it is a major investment in British talent. This project allows our highly skilled UK teams to apply their unique expertise to enhance weather monitoring and lead the way globally in Earth observation and science.”
You can read the full story on the development of Aeolus-2 on the Earth observation pages of esa.int.