en.Wedoany.com Reported - Airbus Defence and Space has signed an initial contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to design and build the next-generation wind measurement satellite, Aeolus-2. The signing ceremony took place at ESA's ECSAT headquarters in Harwell, UK.

Aeolus-2 is the follow-on mission to the first Aeolus satellite, also built by Airbus. Launched in 2018, the first Aeolus satellite provided high-resolution vertical wind profiles from space for the first time, improving the accuracy of numerical weather predictions by 4% and significantly enhancing global weather forecast models.

Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA, stated that the Aeolus mission exceeded expectations, demonstrating the transformative impact of space-based wind observations on weather forecasting. Aeolus-2 is a natural extension of this achievement, transitioning from pioneering research to operational services benefiting global citizens and businesses. The project launch marks a significant step for Europe in maintaining its leading position in atmospheric observation and meteorological innovation.

UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd noted that the UK has been at the forefront of satellite weather forecasting since the original Aeolus mission, and Airbus Defence and Space will continue to play a leading role in this new chapter. Aeolus-2 will deliver more accurate weather forecasts for the UK and create high-skilled jobs. The UK's participation in this project is supported by its ongoing investments in ESA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).

The first Aeolus satellite operated in orbit until 2023, with its data enhancing global weather forecast models and providing critical data for understanding atmospheric circulation and long-term climate change. Aeolus-2 will be equipped with another Doppler wind lidar, using an ultraviolet laser, scanning from the ground up to an altitude of 30 km, taking measurements every 0.01 seconds and covering the globe every seven days. Additionally, Aeolus-2 will include a detector for measuring aerosols in the atmosphere.

The first Aeolus satellite also helped improve understanding of hurricanes and the high-altitude transport of volcanic ash, enhancing data availability over the poles and the equator, and reducing the average error between predictions and observations by over 4%. Its laser illuminated particles such as dust, ice, and water droplets, with the backscattered light collected by the telescope revealing wind speed and direction based on the Doppler shift of the particles.

Developed by ESA in collaboration with EUMETSAT, Aeolus-2 will benefit major meteorological centers, including the UK Met Office and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The satellite will orbit Earth 15 times per day and transmit data to users within 120 minutes of the latest measurements in each orbit. Aeolus-2 will operate in a 450 km orbit with a design life of 5.5 years.

Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, stated that Aeolus-2 is not only a scientific mission but also a significant investment in UK talent, enabling a highly skilled team to apply their expertise to enhance weather monitoring and maintain leadership in global Earth observation and science.