The last visuals of the Aeolus satellite, during its brief period as orbital debris, were captured by Fraunhofer FHR’s Space Observation Radar TIRA. (It should be noted that the coloration indicates radar echo intensity rather than temperature.) Image courtesy: Fraunhofer FHR
The Role of TROPOS in the Aeolus Mission and Preparatory Measures for the Forthcoming EarthCARE Mission
Upon the successful conclusion of its mission, the Aeolus satellite operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) made a controlled descent from a 320 km altitude back to Earth’s atmosphere. In an unprecedented maneuver, ESA managed a controlled reentry for the satellite.
Related Articles:
- Concluding Blaze: Last Glimpses of the Ill-Fated Aeolus Spacecraft
- ESA’s Aeolus: A Groundbreaking Conclusion to a Pioneering Mission
- Feasible Mission: Navigating Aeolus Through Earth’s Incendiary Reception
- The Momentous Descent of Aeolus: The Satellite that Revolutionized Wind Data
Aeolus was a landmark mission that collected global wind profiles for the first time. Image courtesy: ESA/ATG medialab
A Brief Summary of Final Scientific Activities Involving TROPOS in the Aeolus Mission:
Role of TROPOS Throughout the Mission
Launched on August 22, 2018, the Aeolus satellite spent nearly five years in Earth’s orbit, offering invaluable data on vertical profiles of horizontal wind velocities as well as backscatter metrics on clouds and aerosols. TROPOS made significant contributions to the mission’s success by supplying ongoing reference measurements globally for validating wind, aerosol, and cloud data. Beyond the lifespan of the mission, TROPOS aims to participate in the Aeolus Data, Innovation and Science Cluster (DISC) initiative to refine the data products and augment the scientific value of the mission. TROPOS was actively engaged in Level-2A aerosol optical property product development, overseeing data quality and providing external validation alongside a European science team.
Review of Vertical Wind Experiments with Aeolus
End-of-Mission Experiments
As Aeolus approached the conclusion of its operational life, the mission team executed a series of end-of-life tests. These tests aimed to inform and benefit future space-based lidar projects. Both aerosol and wind data products underwent evaluation in these tests, in collaboration with the Aeolus DISC.
Vertical Wind Dynamics
TROPOS partook in one such test where the satellite’s laser was tilted from its usual 35-degree slant to a nadir orientation to measure vertical wind activity over extensive convective cloud formations. The premise that vertical air movements are generally inconsequential over large horizontal scales was found to be inadequate in scenarios involving intense convection, such as tropical storms. Dr. Sebastian Bley of TROPOS stated, “We are still in the process of examining the encouraging data acquired during this test and aim to assess the influence of vertical air flows on existing assumptions.”
ATLID Trial
TROPOS also collaborated on an ATLID experiment where the Aeolus laser, ALADIN, was configured to emulate the ATLID lidar planned for the upcoming EarthCARE mission. “The experience gained from Aeolus has been immensely useful in gearing up for EarthCARE, a mission that with its four sensors on a single platform for measuring aerosols, clouds, and radiation is even more intricate than Aeolus,” said Dr. Ulla Wandinger of TROPOS. The EarthCARE mission is set for a launch between April and June 2024.
Final Observations from TROPOS
The TROPOS team experienced mixed emotions watching Aeolus make its final descent. Despite the melancholy over the satellite’s end, there was satisfaction in having significantly contributed to a groundbreaking mission. The work at TROPOS will continue to focus on utilizing the data collected during Aeolus’s five-year mission, particularly in validating reprocessed aerosol data and exploring new applications in atmospheric sciences. TROPOS is also deeply involved in the development and validation phases of the impending EarthCARE mission.
Reference: “HETEAC – the Hybrid End-To-End Aerosol Classification model for EarthCARE” authored by Ulla Wandinger, Athena Augusta Floutsi, Holger Baars, Moritz Haarig, Albert Ansmann, Anja Hünerbein, Nicole Docter, David Donovan, Gerd-Jan van Zadelhoff, Shannon Mason, and Jason Cole, published on 25 May 2023 in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques.
DOI: 10.5194/amt-16-2485-2023
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aeolus Satellite’s Final Activities
What was the main focus of the Aeolus satellite?
The main focus of the Aeolus satellite was to collect global wind profiles. It provided invaluable data on vertical profiles of horizontal wind velocities as well as backscatter metrics on clouds and aerosols.
What was TROPOS’s role in the Aeolus mission?
TROPOS made significant contributions to the mission by supplying ongoing global reference measurements for validating wind, aerosol, and cloud data. The institute was also involved in Level-2A aerosol optical property product development and data quality monitoring.
What were the end-of-life experiments conducted on the Aeolus satellite?
Before its controlled reentry, a series of end-of-life experiments were conducted on Aeolus to assess its radiometric performance and the impact on both aerosol and wind products. These tests aimed to inform and benefit future space-based lidar missions.
What is EarthCARE, and how is it related to Aeolus?
EarthCARE is an upcoming mission that will carry a lidar instrument very similar to that flying on Aeolus. Lessons learned from Aeolus are being used to prepare for EarthCARE, which is scheduled for launch between April and June 2024.
What are the future plans for TROPOS after the end of the Aeolus mission?
TROPOS will continue to work on the Aeolus data to refine and validate reprocessed aerosol products and explore new applications in atmospheric sciences. The institute is also deeply involved in the development and validation phases of the impending EarthCARE mission.
Who conducted the final scientific activities on the Aeolus satellite?
The final scientific activities were conducted by the Aeolus team in collaboration with TROPOS and other European science teams.
What kind of emotions did the TROPOS team experience during Aeolus’s final reentry?
The TROPOS team experienced mixed feelings during Aeolus’s reentry. While there was sadness over the satellite burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, there was also satisfaction in having significantly contributed to a groundbreaking mission.
More about Aeolus Satellite’s Final Activities
- Aeolus Mission Overview by European Space Agency
- TROPOS Official Website
- Overview of EarthCARE Mission
- Understanding Lidar Technology
- Controlled Satellite Reentry Explained
- Fraunhofer FHR’s Space Observation Radar TIRA
- Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Journal Article
