ESA's Aeolus mission was launched on 22 August 2018 and recently finished operations on 30 April 2023. For almost five years, this satellite acquired novel observations of global wind profiles using its Doppler Wind Lidar, ALADIN.

ALADIN (Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument) provided separate measurements in Rayleigh and Mie channels, representing molecular (clear air) and particulate (aerosol and clouds) backscatter, respectively.

Level-1B products derived from these observations are freely available in a data collection, which supports applications for the weather, atmospheric processes and climate research.

Learn more about the Level-1B wind products in our latest infographic: