Aeolus laser doppler calibration

Date: Tue, Feb 05, 2019 | 07:30 - 07:50 GMT | 08:30 - 08:50 CET

Replay: Tue, Feb 05, 2019 | 16:00 - 16:20 GMT | 17:00 - 17:20 CET

Type: ESA TV Exchange

Format: 16:9

Last 22 August 2018 ESA launched Aeolus, its new Earth Explorer satellite, from Europe' Spaceport in Kourou.

Aeolus is a unique satellite designed to give information on wind profiles.

After early orbit operations and activation of the satellite, a long but mandatory campaign of calibration tests had to be conducted so as to check Aeolus instruments, in particular the satellite’s Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument (ALADIN). This instrument is the first of its kind to be used in space.

This operation is done by using a plane equipped with a similar instrument underflying the satellite and by comparing measurements.

The Aeolus scientists can not only calibrate the instrument but also further develop the algorithms that will be used to interpret the raw Aeolus data about the winds and check that the satellite delivers what is needed for weather forecasting.

This video explains this calibration campaign for Aeolus.

More information at: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Aeolus

Preview and download:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2019/02/Flying_under_Aeolus

Script:
1902_002_ESA_Aeolus_Laser_Doppler_Final_Script_Shotlist+TC.docx

Satellite Parameters: Eutelsat 9A at 9 degrees E, transponder 59, downlink frequency 11900.1 horizontally polarised, symbol rate 27,500 FEC 2/3.