# ALTIUS > planned ESA atmospheric research satellite **Wikidata**: [Q28499247](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28499247) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALTIUS) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altius ## Summary ALTIUS is a planned Earth observation satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for atmospheric research. It is designed to study the Earth's upper atmosphere, particularly focusing on the stratosphere and mesosphere. The mission is part of ESA's broader efforts to enhance understanding of atmospheric dynamics and climate processes. ## Key Facts - **Full Name**: Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere (ALTIUS) - **Class**: Earth observation satellite - **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA) - **Launch Date**: No earlier than 2025 - **Mass**: Approximately 240 kg (launch weight) - **Manufacturer**: Spacecraft built by QinetiQ; payload provided by OIP Space Instruments - **Purpose**: Atmospheric research, specifically focusing on the limb sounding of the stratosphere and mesosphere - **Mission Context**: Part of ESA’s Earth observation and atmospheric science portfolio - **Wikipedia Title**: ALTIUS - **Wikipedia Languages**: German, English, Finnish, French - **Sitelink Count**: 4 ## FAQs ### Q: What is ALTIUS and what is its purpose? A: ALTIUS (Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere) is a planned Earth observation satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Its primary purpose is to conduct detailed atmospheric research, particularly focusing on the stratosphere and mesosphere through limb sounding techniques. ### Q: When is ALTIUS scheduled to launch? A: ALTIUS is planned for launch no earlier than 2025. The exact date has not been finalized, but it is expected to be part of ESA's upcoming atmospheric research missions. ### Q: Who is responsible for building ALTIUS? A: The spacecraft is being built by QinetiQ, while the payload is developed by OIP Space Instruments. The satellite's total launch mass is approximately 240 kg. ### Q: What does ALTIUS aim to study? A: ALTIUS is designed to study the Earth's upper atmosphere, particularly the stratosphere and mesosphere, using limb sounding techniques. This method allows for high-resolution vertical profiling of atmospheric layers. ### Q: Which organization is operating ALTIUS? A: ALTIUS is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), which is leading its development and mission operations. It is part of ESA’s broader Earth observation initiatives. ### Q: What is the significance of ALTIUS in Earth observation? A: ALTIUS contributes to atmospheric science by providing high-resolution data on the upper atmosphere, which is critical for understanding climate change, atmospheric dynamics, and ozone layer behavior. This data supports both scientific research and policy-making related to climate and atmospheric health. ## Why It Matters ALTIUS plays a critical role in advancing atmospheric science by focusing on the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, which are less understood but crucial to climate modeling and weather prediction. Its specialized instrumentation and mission design enable high-precision limb sounding, which provides vertical profiles of atmospheric conditions in the stratosphere and mesosphere. This contributes to a better understanding of climate change, ozone depletion, and atmospheric circulation. As part of ESA’s Earth observation efforts, ALTIUS supports global environmental monitoring and enhances the scientific community's ability to model and predict atmospheric behavior. ## Notable For - **Specialized Atmospheric Research**: ALTIUS is notable for its focus on the upper atmosphere, particularly the stratosphere and mesosphere, using limb sounding techniques. - **ESA’s Strategic Initiative**: It is part of ESA’s broader Earth observation program, aligning with its mission to monitor and understand Earth’s climate. - **Innovative Payload Design**: The payload is developed by OIP Space Instruments, tailored for high-resolution atmospheric data collection. - **Unique Mission Profile**: ALTIUS is designed for precise atmospheric profiling, distinguishing it from broader Earth observation satellites that focus on land or ocean monitoring. ## Body ### Mission Overview ALTIUS (Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere) is a planned Earth observation satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Its primary objective is to conduct detailed atmospheric research, with a focus on the stratosphere and mesosphere. The mission is designed to use limb sounding techniques to gather high-resolution vertical profiles of the upper atmosphere, which are essential for understanding climate dynamics and atmospheric chemistry. ### Purpose and Scientific Goals ALTIUS is intended to enhance the understanding of the Earth’s upper atmosphere by providing high-precision measurements. These include observations of temperature, wind, and trace gas concentrations in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The data collected will support climate research, ozone layer studies, and atmospheric circulation models. This mission is part of ESA’s broader Earth observation and climate monitoring initiatives. ### Operator and Development The European Space Agency (ESA) is the primary operator of the ALTIUS mission. The spacecraft is being developed by QinetiQ, while the payload is being provided by OIP Space Instruments. The satellite's total launch mass is approximately 240 kg, as reported in its technical documentation. ### Launch and Timeline ALTIUS is scheduled for launch no earlier than 2025. The mission is part of ESA’s long-term strategy to improve atmospheric research and climate monitoring capabilities. The launch date is not yet finalized, but it is expected to occur within the mid-2020s. ### Technical Specifications - **Mass**: ~240 kg (launch weight) - **Manufacturer**: Spacecraft by QinetiQ; payload by OIP Space Instruments - **Mission Type**: Earth observation satellite - **Orbit**: Likely low Earth orbit (LEO) or sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) for optimal atmospheric observation - **Instruments**: Specialized sensors for limb sounding of the stratosphere and mesosphere ### Scientific Impact ALTIUS contributes to atmospheric science by providing high-resolution data on the stratosphere and mesosphere, which are less understood but critical for climate modeling. This mission will enhance the accuracy of atmospheric models and support global climate research efforts. ### Related Projects and Context ALTIUS is part of ESA’s Earth observation program, which includes other missions like the Sentinel series. These missions are designed to monitor various aspects of Earth’s environment, including land, ocean, and atmospheric conditions. ALTIUS’s focus on the upper atmosphere complements these broader Earth observation goals. ### Challenges and Innovations The mission introduces advanced limb sounding techniques to observe the upper atmosphere with high precision. This approach allows for more accurate vertical profiling, which is essential for understanding atmospheric layers that are difficult to monitor with traditional nadir-sounding methods. ### Conclusion ALTIUS represents a significant step forward in atmospheric research, with a specialized focus on the upper layers of the atmosphere. Its development and deployment by ESA will provide critical data for climate science, enhancing our understanding of the stratosphere and mesosphere. As part of ESA’s Earth observation portfolio, ALTIUS contributes to global efforts in environmental monitoring and climate change research. ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/altius.htm)