Aeolus satellite

Although developed specifically for Aeolus, the design of the satellite is based on a heritage of other ESA missions. The satellite carries the state-of-the-art pointing system to point the Aladin instrument to Earth’s atmosphere. Observations will be performed on the night-side of the satellite to avoid the solar background. A large radiator is carried on the dark side of the satellite to radiate excess heat back out to space.