ESA satellite to improve weather forecast launched

London: The European Space Agency ( ESA) has successfully launched a satellite that will measure winds around the globe and help improve weather forecasting. The Earth Explorer Aeolus satellite was launched into polar orbit on a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 21: 20 GMT on August 22 ( 2: 50 am Indian Standard Time on August 23). Using revolutionary laser technology, Aeolus will play a key role in our quest to better understand the workings of our atmosphere, the space agency said. Named after Aeolus, who in Greek mythology was appointed ‘ keeper of the winds’, the mission is the fifth in the family of ESA's Earth Explorers, which address the most urgent Earth- science questions of our time. “Aeolus epitomises the essence of an Earth Explorer. It will fill a gap in our knowledge of how the planet functions and demonstrate how cuttingedge technology can be used in space,” said Jan Worner, ESA Director General. “Aeolus carries the first instrument of its kind and uses a completely new approach to measuring the wind from space,” said ESA's director of Earth Observation Programmes, Josef Aschbacher. “Such pioneering technology has meant that it has been a demanding mission to develop, but thanks to all the teams involved we are thrilled that this extraordinary satellite is now in orbit. We look forward to it living up to expectations,” said Aschbacher.