The European Space Agency has chosen Airbus Defence and Space to begin work on Aeolus-2, the successor to the pioneering wind-monitoring satellite. The new satellite will continue the mission of measuring global wind profiles from orbit, a critical capability for improving weather forecasts and climate models.
Aeolus-2 will carry an advanced Doppler wind lidar instrument, building on the technology proven by its predecessor. The original Aeolus satellite, launched in 2018, was the first to directly measure wind speeds on a global scale using a laser-based system. Airbus will be responsible for the design, integration, and testing of the spacecraft.
ESA's selection marks the start of formal development, though a specific launch date has not yet been disclosed. The original Aeolus satellite operated for over five years, exceeding its planned three-year lifetime before re-entering Earth's atmosphere in July 2023. The follow-on mission aims to ensure continuity of wind data for operational meteorology.
The Aeolus-2 project represents a collaborative effort, with ESA overseeing the mission and Airbus as the prime contractor. The satellite is expected to provide crucial data to the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) for operational use, reinforcing Europe's leadership in space-based wind measurement.
Cost details for the Aeolus-2 contract and the full mission budget have not been announced. The program will support the European meteorological community and contribute to the global weather observation network, with potential benefits for aviation safety and climate research.