Europe’s space agency attempts an assisted re-entry for a retiring satellite.

Launched in 2018, Europe’s observation satellite Aeolus has surpassed all expectations.

It has beamed down seven billion pulses of UV light to profile Earth’s wind.

Now, with its fuel almost spent and the mission over, the European Space Agency (ESA) will bring Aeolus back to Earth in what they are calling the “first of its kind” assisted re-entry.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/07/24/responsible-way-to-act-europes-space-agency-attempts-an-assisted-re-entry-for-retiring-sat

#ESA #Space #Aeolus #Satellite #Science

Completata con successo la prima manovra per il rientro assistito del satellite #Aeolus dell'#ESA. L'obiettivo è farlo entrare nell'atmosfera venerdì pomeriggio sull'Oceano Atlantico per limitare il più possibile il rischio (già minimo) che eventuali frammenti possano fare danni
https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2023/07/24/aeolus-reentry-live/

The European Space Agency will destroy its Aeolus wind-measuring satellite by sending it hurtling back into Earth's atmosphere after it reaches the end of its mission on 30 April.

After more than four and a half years measuring global winds from space using a laser, the probe is running out of fuel.

Originally designed to last three years, Aeolus has continued its mission beyond its expected lifetime by 18 months.

https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/19/esa_aeolus_satellite_shutdown/

#ESA #Space #Aerospace #Satellite #Aeolus #Science

Such a brilliant mission and the launch seems only yesterday!

Trailblazing Aeolus mission winding down.
#ESA #Aeolus
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Aeolus/Trailblazing_Aeolus_mission_winding_down

... we found many indications pointing to a type of dynamical confinement and self lofting. Key here was @esa's #AEOLUS satellite which revealed that this was a rotating disc. The rotation - potential vorticity anomaly - in the stable stratosphere prevents mixing ...

... we found many indications pointing to a type of dynamical confinement and self lofting. Key here was @esa's #AEOLUS satellite which revealed that this was a rotating disc. The rotation - potential vorticity anomaly - in the stable stratosphere prevents mixing ...

Woohoo! #Exomars rover and #Aeolus spacecraft both made in #Stevenage in collaboration with European partners. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63706880

RT @esa_aeolus@twitter.com

This week we switched the POLARIS Range Bin Setting from the North pole to the South pole to study the winter polar vortex 🌪️

Here's how #Aeolus shines a light on this complex phenomenon that can disrupt #weather 👇

Cheers @CorwinWright@twitter.com for the gif!

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Aeolus/Aeolus_shines_a_light_on_polar_vortex

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/esa_aeolus/status/1522129218791870464