Aeolus, ESA’s spatial mission, which harnesses Earth observation from space to improve the monitoring of climate events, was one of ESA’s most successful Earth observation missions. The mission has surpassed scientific expectations and the satellite outlived its planned life in orbit. According to the London Economics (2022), Aeolus also brought real economic benefits – as much as €3.5 billion over the lifetime of the mission. Thanks to the cleverness of the Agency’s mission control team, which successfully navigated this satellite down to Earth’s atmosphere for a safe reentry. This mission will also go down in history.
Key stages in Aeolus’ reentry ©ESA
