A British-built satellite, known as Aeolus, is about to make a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere in a groundbreaking mission. The European Space Agency (ESA) has taken on the audacious task of guiding the 1.3-tonne probe into a specific location in the Atlantic Ocean, ensuring it poses no danger. Although most of the satellite will burn up upon re-entry, approximately 20% of the debris is expected to reach the ocean’s surface. This bold maneuver is the first of its kind and demonstrates ESA’s commitment to the safe disposal of space debris.
Aeolus, constructed by British engineers at Airbus, has been in orbit around Earth at an altitude of 200 miles (320km) for the past five years. Its primary objective was to measure wind patterns in the atmosphere to enhance weather forecasts. Equipped with a Doppler wind lidar instrument, the satellite emitted a laser beam towards Earth, enabling it to track the movement of air from every location and altitude worldwide. However, as the mission reaches its conclusion, the satellite’s fuel reserves are nearly depleted.
To minimize the risk of debris landing in populated areas, ESA aims to use the remaining fuel to steer Aeolus to a remote part of the planet. This re-entry method will generate valuable data to help future satellite disposal efforts by other nations and private companies. Tim Flohrer, head of ESA’s Space Debris Office, explains that this strategy goes beyond the safety requirements established when planning and designing the mission in the late 1990s. Compliance with current safety regulations for contemporary missions will be achieved if all goes according to plan.
Aeolus collected data by examining the scattering of light produced by various elements in the atmosphere, such as dust, gas, and water droplets, when exposed to wind. The frequency changes in the reflected light revealed the speed and direction of air movement. As Aeolus descends from its operational altitude of 198 miles (320km) towards re-entry, it is being influenced by gravity and the Earth’s atmosphere. Mission controllers based in Germany initiated a series of maneuvers, gradually lowering the satellite’s orbit from 155 miles (250km) to 142 miles (230km). Ultimately, the goal is to guide it to an orbit of 75 miles (120km) and ensure it falls into the Atlantic Ocean approximately five hours later.
The precise timing for Aeolus’s re-entry is challenging to determine. Angus Stewart, head of space surveillance and tracking at the UK Space Agency, emphasizes the importance of protecting satellites in space and maintaining a safe environment for future generations. With over 8,000 operational satellites and more than 30,000 trackable debris pieces, operating safely in space is becoming increasingly difficult. The UK Space Agency supports ESA’s assisted re-entry by providing observation data to aid in the analysis. This re-entry mission sets the stage for the UK government’s sustainability efforts in space, including an “Active Debris Removal” program to address the mounting space junk issue. The government plans to launch a spacecraft in 2026 that can capture and eliminate multiple debris fragments, safeguarding Earth’s near-Earth orbit.
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