Aeolus: The space laser begins to chase the wind

Author's right of the image
ESA

The British-made Aeolus satellite has started shooting its laser on Earth to map the winds of the planet.

This is a great moment for the mission of the European Space Agency, whose technology has taken 16 years to develop.

Launched two weeks ago from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, Aeolus is currently undergoing three months of testing.

Once this is complete, scientists will begin to evaluate the satellite wind data for inclusion in the weather models.

Its maps are expected to make significant improvements in the accuracy of medium-term forecasts – those that are in the state of a few days.

"It's a euphoric feeling and a moment of pride to take this step after overcoming the first technical challenge of building, launching and operating this complex wind lidar," said Dr. Mark Drinkwater, Director of the Science Division. Earth and Mission of Esa.

"Now, some of the most patient scientists and weather services in Europe are eager to take over.

"The next challenge is to use Aeolus' data to fulfill its scientific promise," he told BBC News.

Media playback is not supported on your device

Author's right of the image
ESA / ECMWF

At the present time, wind data come from multiple but unequal sources, such as weather balloons.

Aeolus will be the first system to collect wind information worldwide, from the ground up to 30 km altitude.

This will be done by pulling a powerful ultraviolet laser into the atmosphere.

With the help of a telescope and a sensitive detector, he will then look for how the light of the pulsed beam is scattered by the air molecules, the water droplets. and dust particles.

This should reveal basic details about the movement of the air and the numerical weather patterns will be adjusted to reflect this.

Experts confirmed that the first days of laser work show clear characteristics of the wind.

Author's right of the image
AIRBUS DS

Esa approved the Aeolus mission for the first time in 1999, with the intention of launching the satellite in 2007.

But the engineers had trouble operating the ultraviolet laser in the conditions it would know in orbit, and many thought the satellite would never fly.

It took new designs and new technologies for Aeolus to happen … which is why the first operation of the laser in orbit was greeted with such joy.

Mission leader Dr. Rune Floberghagen told BBC News that the instrument was operating at high power and controllers could still improve it.

"But instead of pushing the pedal to the metal from the beginning, we see a great advantage in operating for a moment where we are now," he said.

"We have to" learn "the instrument.In addition, the operations during the last two weeks have been very intensive, that is the least we can say.

"All of this means we'll be operating for a while like this, doing a lot of testing, calibrations, and characterizations to better target the telescope and improve performance in general."

Author's right of the image
Getty Images

[email protected] and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos