Airbus Defence and Space Wins Contract for Aeolus-2 Satellite from ESA
Airbus Defence and Space has signed an initial contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the design and construction of the Aeolus-2 satellite, dedicated to wind observation from space. This award, formalized on July 2, 2026, at ESA's UK headquarters in Harwell, follows the first Aeolus satellite launched in 2018, which demonstrated the operational impact of vertical wind profiles for improving weather forecasts.
A Satellite to Enhance Global Weather Forecasts
Aeolus-2 will be equipped with an innovative ultraviolet Doppler lidar capable of scanning from the Earth's surface up to an altitude of 30 km, taking measurements every 0.01 seconds. The satellite will cover the entire globe every seven days. It will orbit at an altitude of 450 km and perform 15 revolutions around the Earth each day, delivering data to users within 120 minutes of the oldest measurement of each orbit.
The mission is developed by ESA in partnership with Eumetsat (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) and will benefit major meteorological centers, including the UK Met Office and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
The First Aeolus Improved Forecasts by 4%
The first Aeolus satellite, in orbit until 2023, significantly improved the accuracy of global weather forecasting models. It reduced the average error between predictions and observations by more than 4%. The satellite also provided critical data for understanding atmospheric circulation and long-term climate change, contributing to improved knowledge of hurricane trajectories and the spread of volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere.
Aeolus-2 will incorporate an additional detector to measure atmospheric aerosols, thus enhancing environmental observation capabilities.
An Asset for British Space Expertise and European Industry
Kata Escott, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, emphasized that the project allows highly skilled British teams to apply their unique expertise to enhanced weather monitoring. Liz Lloyd, the UK's Space Minister, highlighted the benefits for the population in terms of more accurate weather forecasts and the creation of highly skilled jobs, underscoring the UK's role as a key partner in Europe's ambitious space programs.
The satellite will have an operational lifespan of 5.5 years.
