Bringing Aeolus Home: ESA's Bold Mission to Safely Re-Enter a Satellite
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Chapter 1: Overview of the Aeolus Satellite
The Aeolus satellite has been in orbit approximately 200 miles above our planet for nearly five years, but its mission is nearing completion. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently announced that the satellite is running low on fuel and is descending at a rate of about one kilometer per day (0.6 miles). In the coming weeks, it is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and begin to disintegrate.
To mitigate potential hazards, scientists plan to execute a groundbreaking maneuver that will utilize the remaining fuel to guide the satellite back to Earth.
Section 1.1: The Origins of Aeolus
Launched on August 22, 2018, from French Guiana aboard a Vega rocket, Aeolus was developed by Airbus Defence and Space, with a manufacturing cost of £412 million ($540 million at that time). Weighing 1,366 kg (3,012 lbs), it has spent its operational life studying global wind patterns, enabling more precise weather forecasts and offering invaluable data to meteorologists and climate researchers.
Subsection 1.1.1:
Section 1.2: The Re-Entry Strategy
Initially, a controlled descent for Aeolus was not part of the plan, making this endeavor a pioneering effort that presents numerous challenges. While the landing will not be entirely smooth—some parts will likely burn up upon re-entry—scientists remain hopeful about steering it toward open water, minimizing risk to people on land.
Chapter 2: Phases of the Re-Entry Mission
The re-entry mission consists of four distinct phases, each with its own set of challenges.
Phase 1: In the upcoming weeks, the ESA will allow Aeolus to fall naturally for about 25 miles (40 km), increasing its speed as gravity exerts a stronger pull.
Phase 2: Mission control in Germany will guide the satellite down from 175 miles to 90 miles (280 km to 150 km) using its remaining fuel.
Phase 3: As fuel levels decrease, the ESA will permit Aeolus to free fall. During this phase, the satellite will begin to burn up, but due to its size, it is expected to stay intact for the final phase, descending from 90 miles to 50 miles (150 km to 80 km).
Phase 4: The last phase will be managed by mission control, which will use the final fuel reserves to direct the satellite into the ocean, ensuring it lands far from land masses. After this, recovery efforts will commence.
Tim Flohrer, head of the Space Debris Office at the ESA, stated, “This assisted re-entry attempt exceeds safety protocols established for a mission conceived in the late 1990s.” If successful, this operation could pave the way for future endeavors aimed at removing space debris.
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