Aeolus will go back to Earth in a matter of weeks. In its brief life time of just under five years, the satellite has actually orbited Earth at 320 km to measure global winds utilizing a laser.
It requires consistent monitoring.
Keeping Aeolus orbiting so near Earth has actually been an obstacle. The environment at this altitude is continuously bothersome at the satellite, with wispy gas dragging it down. Solar weather condition complicates things, charged particles making the atmosphere soupier.
Theres space debris! In 2019, Aeolus had to swerve out of the method of the Starlink constellation of satellites.
Introducing Libe Jauregui
Aeolus Flight Dynamics Manager, Libe Jauregui, at ESAs European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
As we prepare a pioneering effort to bring Aeolus home– a first-of-its-kind assisted reentry– we speak to Aeolus Flight Dynamics Manager, Libe Jauregui, about her function in the objective and its trailblazing end.
What is your function in the Aeolus mission?
I am the Aeolus Flight Dynamics Manager and I have been because before launch until now. My team and I are accountable for whatever associated to the orbit: we attempt to keep Aeolus where it needs to be.
Whats your favourite part of the function?
Almost whatever! I like feeling near to the satellite operations, to contribute to things happening.
I take pleasure in the group spirit in the Flight Dynamics team, how much they can be depended develop an option to any issue, and I find out a lot with them.
I likewise connect frequently with other teams, comprehend the work they provide for Aeolus, their objectives and constraints, and I like getting the bigger photo.
What is the most difficult element of the mission and the reentry?
For the reentry, the entire concept is a big obstacle.
We require to calculate the manoeuvres, take in the details of the ones currently performed, and include them into our predictions to then calculate the last one.
All that in a short time and for the first time! We have been working hard to do whatever in our power to contribute to its success.
This implied that it required regular manoeuvres. Orbit forecast is really affected by changes in the environment, in specific by solar activity, so we needed continuous monitoring of our forecasts.
For the routine mission, for us there have been 2 difficulties: to keep up to speed with such a versatile mission and, from the more technical point of view, to be able to operate at a low altitude, where Aeolus is more affected by the atmosphere.
Whats been your highlight of the Aeolus objective?
Libe is part of the group pioneering an assisted reentry for Aeolus that will set a new requirement for the safe reentry of satellites. Image credit: Earth Observation Graphic Bureau/ ESA.
The reentry preparation. No matter what finally occurs we have actually discovered a lot and it is a very first for us.
How did you get into space? What led you to ESA?
It was a bit by possibility. I finished and studied maths university with no background in area, however I found out about trainee chances in ESA for mathematicians. I believed it was fascinating and chose to try.
I got in, considering remaining for a year, however 18 years later on I am still here and still fascinated.
When youre not dealing with Aeolus, what do you like to do?
Challenging.
Describe the Aeolus objective utilizing only one word.
Travel, check out, bake, choose a walk, hang around with my kids, have a coffee/dinner with good friends, play boardgames …
What the most intriguing aspect of flying Aeolus?
For us the altitude has actually been what made it interesting.
Whats the most intriguing Aeolus manoeuvre?
I completed and studied maths university without any background in space, however I heard about student chances in ESA for mathematicians. I thought it was remarkable and chose to attempt.
Keeping Aeolus orbiting so close to Earth has actually been a difficulty. The atmosphere at this elevation is continuously nagging at the satellite, with wispy gas dragging it down. Solar weather condition complicates things, charged particles making the atmosphere soupier.
I hope the last one for the reentry.