Airbus Defence and Space has signed the initial contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the design and build of the Aeolus-2 wind sensing satellite.Aeolus-2 will follow the original Aeolus satellite launched in 2018, which provided the first high-resolution vertical wind profiles from space, improving numerical weather forecasting accuracy by around 4% and enhancing global prediction models.
The new satellite will advance these capabilities with a Doppler wind lidar using ultraviolet lasers to measure wind profiles from the ground up to 30 km. It will take measurements every 0.01 seconds and achieve global coverage every seven days. Aeolus-2 will also include an additional detector to measure aerosols in the atmosphere.
“Aeolus exceeded expectations and demonstrated the transformative impact that space-based wind observations can have on weather forecasting. Aeolus-2 represents the natural evolution of that achievement – from pioneering research to an operational service that will benefit citizens and businesses worldwide. We are happy to provide the authorisation to proceed, which marks an important milestone in ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of atmospheric observation and meteorological innovation,” said Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes.
“The UK has been at the forefront of satellite weather forecasting since the original Aeolus mission, and I’m delighted that Airbus Defence and Space in the UK will once again play a leading role in this next chapter. Aeolus-2 will deliver real benefits for people across the UK, from more accurate weather forecasts that protect lives and communities, to the highly skilled jobs that come from being a key partner in Europe’s most ambitious space science programmes,” said Liz Lloyd, UK Space Minister.
“Our involvement in Aeolus-2 is made possible by the UK’s continued investment in the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT, ensuring British expertise and industry remain central to cutting-edge space science. This is exactly the kind of high-skilled, high-impact work that demonstrates the UK’s world-leading position in the global space sector,” she continued.
“Aeolus-2 is more than a scientific mission; it is a major investment in British talent,” said Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK. “This project allows our highly skilled UK teams to apply their unique expertise to enhance weather monitoring and lead the way globally in Earth observation and science.”
Aeolus-2 is being developed by ESA in partnership with EUMETSAT and will support major weather centres including the UK Met Office and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The satellite will orbit Earth at an altitude of 450 km, completing 15 orbits per day, with a planned operational life of 5.5 years and near real-time data delivery within 120 minutes.
