\n<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t02\/07\/2026<\/span> Building on the remarkable success of the Earth Explorer Aeolus wind mission, the European Space Agency has given Airbus Defence and Space in the UK the authorisation to proceed to begin the development of Aeolus\u2019 successor, Aeolus-2 \u2013 which is set to be built to enhance operational weather forecasts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The plan is to develop Aeolus-2 directly as an operational meteorological mission, in collaboration with Eumetsat. It will be designed to provide continuous global wind profiles that will improve weather forecasting accuracy and strengthen atmospheric and climate monitoring capabilities worldwide from its launch in 2034.<\/p>\n The decision to develop Aeolus-2 as an operational meteorological mission is rooted in the outstanding performance and scientific impact of the original Aeolus satellite.<\/p>\n Launched in 2018, Aeolus proved to be a groundbreaking achievement in Earth observation and atmospheric science, becoming the world\u2019s first satellite capable of directly measuring global wind profiles from space using advanced Doppler wind lidar technology.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The mission demonstrated exceptional technological innovation, overcoming complex engineering challenges to operate a highly sophisticated ultra-violet laser-based instrument in orbit and provide valuable insights into global wind profiles, establishing a new benchmark for space-based wind sensing and paving the way for the operational Aeolus-2 mission.<\/p>\n Aeolus provided the evidence needed to transition this pioneering technology from an Earth Explorer research mission into an operational capability. The mission\u2019s achievements highlighted the critical role of global wind observations in improving forecast accuracy and addressing gaps in existing observing networks.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Like Aeolus, its operational successor, Aelous-2, will carry a Doppler wind lidar \u2013 however, the Aeolus-2 version will be even more sophisticated than the original.<\/p>\n ESA\u2019s Aeolus-2 Project Manager, Ben Boyes, explained, \u201cAeolus was a trailblazing mission that demonstrated, for the first time, the immense value of measuring global winds directly from space.<\/p>\n \u201cBuilding on the lidar heritage of both Aeolus and EarthCARE, Aeolus-2 will carry two lasers, each twice as powerful as Aeolus\u2019, with an upgraded and more robust instrument design capable of reliably delivering the high-quality wind data that operational meteorological services require. This next-generation mission will ensure that global wind observations become a permanent component of the weather forecasting infrastructure, helping societies around the world prepare for increasingly complex weather and climate-related challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n The authorisation signed on 29 June provides Airbus Defence and Space in the UK permission to proceed with the initial implementation steps for this new mission.<\/p>\n ESA\u2019s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, said, \u201cAeolus exceeded expectations and demonstrated the transformative impact that space-based wind observations can have on weather forecasting.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAeolus-2 represents the natural evolution of that achievement \u2013 from pioneering research to an operational service that will benefit citizens and businesses worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Aeolus-2 will address limitations in current methods of observing winds from space, and by filling a long-standing data gap in the global observing system for vertical wind profiles, will enable measurable improvements to numerical weather models.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t33<\/span> views<\/small><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t0<\/span> likes<\/small><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n