Aeolus, or, in full, Atmospheric Dynamics Mission-Aeolus (ADM-Aeolus), was an Earth observation satellite operated by the European Space Agency (ESA).

It was built by Airbus Defence and Space, launched on 22 August 2018,[1] and operated until it was deorbited and re-entered the atmosphere over Antarctica on 28 July 2023.

[3] ADM-Aeolus was the first satellite with equipment capable of performing global wind-component-profile observation and provided much-needed information to improve weather forecasting.

[4] Aeolus was 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.

Its altitude was a low 320 km (200 mi) for enough backscattered light sensibility,[2] inducing a short 3 years life expectancy.

Aeolus was seen as a mission that paved the way for future operational meteorological satellites dedicated to study Earth's wind profiles.

[9] This frequency was chosen because of the increased Rayleigh scattering in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and because it was eye-safe at distances greater than several hundred metres.

It analyzed the wings of the Rayleigh spectrum with a CCD; the etalon was split into two zones, which are imaged separately on the detector.

[9] The processing of the backscatter signals produced line-of-sight wind-component profiles above thick clouds or down to the surface in clear air along the satellite track, every 200 km (120 mi).

Overall complications involved in the instrument caused an estimated 50% final cost overrun, so ESA had to come up with additional funding for the project.

ESA then decided to switch to a backup laser that had not been used, offering the opportunity to complete the expected 3 year life of the satellite.

[19] ESOC conducted an 'assisted re-entry', using a mixture of natural air drag and commanded delta-v.[21] Aeolus re-entered the atmosphere over Antarctica on 28 July 2023.