A British-built laser spacecraft is due to be launched into orbit aboard the European Space Agency‘s (ESA) Aeolus spacecraft.

The satellite, which was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, will beam down into the atmosphere to measure wind speeds and observe weather patterns; a process which could revolutionise weather forecasting and help to protect people from natural disasters around the world.

The satellite will be equipped with a 3.4-Kilowatt laser, which can generate as much energy as 840 lightbulbs.

Lift Off

Aeulus will lift-off on a Vega rocket from the ESA’s spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, this evening and enthusiasts around the world will be able to view the launch online.

The Aeolus is the fifth mission in the space agency’s Earth Explorer missions, which aim to address critical Earth science issues, utilising cutting-edge technologies and innovation from the UK and across Europe.

UK businesses played an integral role in the development of the laser spacecraft, providing software, propulsion systems and imaging technology. Science Minister, Sam Gyimah, said that the UK’s extensive involvement thus far in the programme showcases the strong relationship between the ESA’s Earth Observation Envelope Programme and the UK Space Agency. 

He said: “The Aeolus mission is a great example of the potential real-world impacts that space can have on Earth. Its data will lead to more reliable weather forecasts that can be used by farmers, seafarers, construction workers and others to improve productivity and safety.

“Space is a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy and it is work like this that shows how vital our role in the European Space Agency is in bringing real benefits to UK companies.”

Revolutionising Weather Forecasting

James Cotton, a Satellite Winds Scientist as the Met Office said the Aeolus mission could help revolutionise global weather forecasting. The laser spacecraft will, it is hoped, improve global coverage of wind profile observations, including areas where win measurements are currently lacking such as over oceans, in tropical regions and the Southern Hemisphere.

Cotton said: “Within numerical weather prediction, we expect the Aeolus winds to be particularly useful for improving our analysis of the atmosphere in the tropics, a region where we know the model wind errors are large.”

Colin Paynter, Managing Director for Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, echoed Cotton’s comments, stating:

“The UK contribution to Aeolus, by the alliance of UK SMEs and established players led by Airbus, was first class, delivering a revolutionary Earth observation satellite that will give wind profile data in near real time, improving weather forecasting and helping to bring the benefits of space down to every citizen on Earth.”

A Growing Sector

The UK space industry is growing at an impressive rate. In 2016, the government committed over €1.4 billion across a broad range of ESA space programmes and currently invests around €350 million per year; this investment enables the UK to access over €5 billion of ESA research and technical expertise.

The country is also forging a reputation as a leading funder of telecommunications research, with around one-in-four commercial telecoms satellites built in Britain.

In July, the government announced it would commit £31.5 million to support the development of a spaceport in Sutherland. This spaceport, the government said, could enable the UK to grab a larger share of the global space market.

The space flight market is expected to contribute billions to the UK economy over the next ten years.