STATUS OF THE DOPPLER WIND LIDAR PROFILING MISSION ADM-AEOLUS

The Atmospheric Dynamics Mission ADM-Aeolus was chosen as the second Earth Explorer Core mission for implementation in 1999. ADM-Aeolus will be the first active remote sensing satellite to map global wind profiles for real-time use in numerical weather prediction. The ADM-Aeolus is expected to pave the way for future operational meteorological satellites dedicated to measuring the Earth's wind fields. In October 2003 the ADM-Aeolus project entered Phase C/D, and the scheduled launch of the satellite is late 2008. Complementing the technical activities with industry, various supporting activities are carried out, namely studies addressing scientific issues and campaign activities. Currently the scientific studies are focussing on particular events, e.g. on high-impact weather, on the preparation for an operational use of the data, on the potential of the ADM-Aeolus additional aerosol and cloud products, and on the adaptation of ADM-Aeolus for full operational use