Europe's 1,360-Kg Satellite ‘Aeolus’ To Fall Through Earth's Atmosphere, ESA Aims At Safe Landing

ESA aims to lower Aeolus in a way such that it falls into the ocean, which will keep the chances of its fragments harming living beings on Earth's surface low. 

A 1,360-kilogram satellite is set to fall through Earth's atmosphere and may crash on the planet soon. The satellite, called Aeolus, is a European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft which was launched in August 2018 as an Earth Explorer research mission. In order to ensure that Aeolus safely returns to Earth, without causing any damage to the living beings on the planet, ESA is aiming to gradually lower the satellite to 150 kilometres above Earth's surface, following which it will burn up as it descends to around 80 kilometres. 

Aeolus is running out of fuel, and will soon meet its inevitable fate. Therefore, scientists have put the spacecraft into a special mode to perform its end-of-life activities. Also, ESA's spacecraft operators have ensured that enough fuel remains for Aeolus to perform its final manoeuvres that will bring the spacecraft back towards Earth's atmosphere.

Where does ESA aim to make the satellite land?

ESA aims to lower Aeolus in a way such that it falls into the ocean, which will keep the chances of its fragments harming living beings on Earth's surface low. 

This marks the first time an assisted re-entry of a spacecraft is being attempted. If Aeolus is safely returned to Earth, it will set a benchmark for similar missions in the future. 

Where is Aeolus currently located?

Aeolus is currently orbiting at an altitude of 320 kilometres, and since its fuel is negligible, it will soon fall through Earth's atmosphere. 

The Sun is speeding up Aeolus' return to Earth, ESA says on its website. 

This is because the solar flares,  coronal mass ejections, and radiation released by the Sun increase the density of Earth's atmosphere when they pass by the planet, and cause satellites orbiting Earth to use even more fuel to remain in orbit in the midst of intense solar activities. As a result, Aeolus had to run against the wind to withstand these intense solar activities.

On April 30, 2023, the Aeolus mission ended. While the spacecraft was launched for a three-year mission, Aeolus exceeded the planned duration by working in space for 18 months more. 

Aeolus had a wind-mapping laser which helped improve weather forecasts worldwide. According to the ESA, the laser is still performing properly.

Aeolus will naturally descend from its current altitude of 320 kilometres to 280 kilometres. After it reaches an altitude of 280 kilometres, ESA's mission control centre in Germany will gradually lower the spacecraft to 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface. 

The extent to which solar activity speeds up the spacecraft's descent will determine the final date when it reaches Earth. ESA expects Aeolus to arrive at Earth by the end of August. 

The space agency is working to ensure that Aeolus is positioned in a direction that will make the spacecraft fall on ocean waters after re-entry. This will reduce the number of fragments which fall on the land. 

If the assisted re-entry is successful, it would pave the way toward reducing space debris, and ensuring that other spacecraft whose life has ended can be brought back safely to Earth.