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Aeolus is the latest meteorological observation mission of the Earth Explorers program of the European Space Agency (ESA). According to agency officials, Aeolus' ability to measure wind patterns from the space will fill an existing gap in meteorological observations and will also help to increase the accuracy of forecasts weather. The satellite recently crossed the Atlantic Ocean in French Guiana in 12 days to prepare for launch.
ESA's Earth Explorers missions study the interactions between several elements of our planet, such as the atmosphere, the biosphere, the cryosphere glaciers and those with permafrost), the hydrosphere ( all areas of water such as oceans, groundwater sources and clouds) and the interior. And Earth Explorer research is particularly focused on learning about the impact of human activity on Earth's processes. [GOES-S: NOAA’s Next-Gen Weather Satellite in Photos]
Aeolus is equipped with a large instrument called Aladin. This is a Doppler lidar instrument, which means that it is a detection system that is configured as a radar but that uses a light beam rather than radio waves. According to a statement released by ESA on July 7, Aladdin's laser is designed to measure the winds that travel in the lowest 30 kilometers (19 miles) of the Earth's atmosphere (the new video is interested in the operation of the first technology). .)
The Aeolian instruments are so delicate that the satellite had to travel by boat from Saint-Nazaire, France, to the port of Cayenne in French Guiana; Air transport was likely to damage the instruments due to the repressurization of the air during the descent, said the ESA officials in the statement.
Aeolus is expected to launch into its three year orbit in August in Guyana. The latitude of the site is 5 degrees 3 minutes north, according to the ESA, making it a good location to launch heavier payloads like Aeolus. The rotation of the Earth acts as an additional source of propulsion for the rocket when it brings the satellite into space.
Follow Doris Elin Salazar on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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