ADM-Aeolus Follow-on Missions

摘要

ADM-Aeolus is a dedicated satellite to provide global observations of vertical wind profiles. It will demonstrate the capability of a spaceborne Doppler wind lidar to accurately measure wind profiles. Thus the mission addresses one of the major deficiencies of the present Global Observing System. Simulations show that the wind profiles from Aeolus will improve Numerical Weather Prediction analyses and forecasts in the tropics and extra tropics. Aeolus is a precursor for an operational wind profiler system. It is under development for the European Space Agency with Astrium Satellites as prime contractor. Launch is planned in 2009 for a 3 year mission. There is likely to be a significant gap between the nominal end of life of Aeolus in late 2012, and the availability of wind profiles from post-EPS instruments in 2019 or later. The presentation will sketch a programme to fill this gap. It is based on copies of the present Aeolus satellite with minor modifications, such as finer vertical sampling, an alternative line-of-sight, and measures to increase lifetime. The programmatics required to fill the data gap will be discussed.