ADM-Aeolus ADM-Aeolus Aeolus, or, in full, Atmospheric Dynamics Mission Aeolus, is an Earth observation satellite built by Airbus Defence and Space that was launched on 22 August 2018. ADM-Aeolus is the first satellite with equipment capable of performing global wind-component-profile observation and will provide much-needed information to improve weather forecasting. Aeolus is the first satellite capable of observing what the winds are doing on Earth, from the surface of the planet and into the stratosphere 30 km high. The orbiter was named after Aeolus, a god from the Greek mythology, the ruler of the winds. The program was initially approved in
ADM-Aeolus 1999 for a 2007 launch but technological obstacles caused 11 years of delay, as it was launched on 22 August 2018. For an estimated €481 million ($568 million) program cost, it should provide 64,000 daily profiles from March or April 2019. Its altitude is a low for enough backscattered light sensibility, inducing a short 3.25 years life expectancy. "Aeolus" is the fifth planned satellite in the Living Planet Programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). The main goal of this mission is to further develop the knowledge of Earth's atmosphere and weather systems. By recording and monitoring the weather in