AEOLUS is the first satellite with the aim to map the winds that blow all around Earth. By achieving this its aim is to:
a) have better weather predictions and
b) create the models that describe the evolution of climate change.
In Greek Mythology, under the command of God Zeus, Aeolus put all the winds into his ascus (bag). The winds could get out of there only when Zeus commanded them to do so.
Taking its name from the myth, the space telescope AEOLUS is a telescope that is looking down (towards the Earth) and not up (towards the stars). It is aiming at measuring the speed of all the layers of air on Earth. The measurement is done by sending a laser pointer beam through these layers in the atmosphere. The laser bounces on them and returns back to the satellite. This way AEOLUS measures the velocity of the refracted beam, as well as where it is pointing at.
AEOLUS is a very demanding mission as the technology used has never been used in the past! We hope it will in the future, though!
Here, we need to mention the fact that sending things to outer space is not simpler. The laser pointer of AEOLUS was working fine. Then, when there was an air gap in the satellite, it stopped working. Then, it was decided that in order for the laser beam to operate normally, it needs the oxygen of the atmosphere!
