Since ESA's Aeolus satellite was launched in August, engineers and scientists have been carefully checking the information that this pioneering mission is delivering on the world's winds – and now it's time for the next phase.

Following the launch of Aeolus on 22 August 2018, scientists have been busy fine-tuning and calibrating this latest Earth Explorer satellite. Aeolus carries a revolutionary instrument, which comprises a powerful laser, a large telescope and a very sensitive receiver.

This edition of Space comes from the coast of northern Norway, where we've come to the Andøya Space Centre to meet scientists working on a new satellite called Aeolus.

Just one week after ESA's Aeolus satellite shone a light on our atmosphere and returned a taster of what's in store, this ground-breaking mission has again exceeded all expectations by delivering its first data on wind – a truly remarkable feat so early in its life in space.

Following the launch of Aeolus on 22 August, this extraordinary satellite's instrument has been turned on and is now emitting pulses of ultraviolet light from its laser, which is fundamental to measuring Earth's wind. And, this remarkable mission has also already returned a tantalising glimpse of the data it will provide.

Having worked around the clock since the launch of Aeolus on Wednesday, teams at ESA's control centre in Germany have declared today that the critical first phase for Europe's wind mission is complete.

ESA's Earth Explorer Aeolus satellite has been launched into polar orbit on a Vega rocket. Using revolutionary laser technology, Aeolus will measure winds around the globe and play a key role in our quest to better understand the workings of our atmosphere.

The teams responsible for flying the Aeolus satellite completed a pre-launch ‘dress rehearsal' at ESA's ESOC operations centre in Darmstadt today, the last major step in getting ready for next Tuesday's liftoff.

Although weather forecasts have advanced considerably in recent years, there is a need for global wind measurements to improve them even further. ESA's Aeolus mission will fill this gap by providing global wind-profiles in near-real time.

ESA's Aeolus wind satellite is poised for liftoff from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This latest Earth Explorer satellite has been at the launch site since early July being readied for its ride into space on 21 August at 21:20 GMT (23:20 CEST).

ESA's Martin Kaspers joins us at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where Aeolus is being readied for liftoff on 21 August 2018.

As preparations for the launch of ESA's latest Earth Explorer continue on track, the team at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana has bid farewell to the Aeolus satellite as it was sealed from view in its Vega rocket fairing. Liftoff is set for 21 August at 21:20 GMT (23:20 CEST).

Aeolus is the next ESA Earth Explorer satellite to be launched on 21 August 2018 from Kourou, Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.

With liftoff less than three weeks away, ESA's Aeolus satellite has been fuelled and is almost ready to be sealed within its Vega rocket fairing.

Are you passionate about our planet and how satellites help us to understand our changing world? Do you love sharing messages on social media? Then the new #EarthGroupies community at ESA's SocialSpace event on 21 August 2018 is for you.

Discover more about our planet with the Earth from Space video programme. In this special edition, ESA's Aeolus mission scientist, Anne Grete Straume, joins us in the cleanroom at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France.

Having set sail from France on 15 June - Global Wind Day, ESA's Aeolus wind satellite has arrived safe and sound at the launch site in French Guiana.

At the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Toulouse, France, ESA's Aeolus wind satellite has been prepared for its launch on top of a Vega rocket from Kourou in French Guiana. Liftoff is currently scheduled for August.

Today is Global Wind Day, which couldn't be more apt for ESA's Aeolus wind satellite to begin its voyage to the launch site in French Guiana. And, while almost all satellites journey by aircraft, Aeolus is different, it's going by ship.

In this special edition of Earth from Space, ESA's Aeolus Project Manager, Anders Elfving, joins us in the cleanroom at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, to talk about the challenges in developing the mission's pioneering laser technology.