ARES Observatory
@ares-observatory.bsky.social
Airborne Science - Updates about ARES missions
Back at the home base, establishing the vacuum again during warmup.
October 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Back at the home base, establishing the vacuum again during warmup.
Mission MAJORITY is completed: nicely diffuse!
October 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Mission MAJORITY is completed: nicely diffuse!
We are getting ready for Operation MAJORITY.
The clear weather of today is expected to be replaced by cloud layers tomorrow.
The clear weather of today is expected to be replaced by cloud layers tomorrow.
October 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We are getting ready for Operation MAJORITY.
The clear weather of today is expected to be replaced by cloud layers tomorrow.
The clear weather of today is expected to be replaced by cloud layers tomorrow.
We are tracking the WX again for our final mission of 2025: flying a scene under full cloud coverage.
OP ECMWF
1 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
2 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP GFS
2 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
3 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP ECMWF
1 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
2 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP GFS
2 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
3 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
September 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We are tracking the WX again for our final mission of 2025: flying a scene under full cloud coverage.
OP ECMWF
1 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
2 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP GFS
2 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
3 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP ECMWF
1 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
2 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
OP GFS
2 OCT: Build-in AVIRIS-4
3 OCT: Fly Thun, Build-out
The orthorectified product of our first non-linear flight over the Aletsch Glacier does look promising, apart from the clouds that were present at the time. Activation of the stabilising platform and improved use of avionics for polyline handling may result in smoother results in the future.
August 27, 2025 at 7:36 AM
The orthorectified product of our first non-linear flight over the Aletsch Glacier does look promising, apart from the clouds that were present at the time. Activation of the stabilising platform and improved use of avionics for polyline handling may result in smoother results in the future.
AVIRIS-4 is transferring back to Switzerland; goodbye Denmark, till the next time! 🇩🇰
August 19, 2025 at 8:02 AM
AVIRIS-4 is transferring back to Switzerland; goodbye Denmark, till the next time! 🇩🇰
Åmosen mission is completed!
Thanks to the ground team for the WX updates!
Thanks to the ground team for the WX updates!
August 18, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Åmosen mission is completed!
Thanks to the ground team for the WX updates!
Thanks to the ground team for the WX updates!
AVIRIS-4 is airborne again, establishing on line 30. Area is clear!
August 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
AVIRIS-4 is airborne again, establishing on line 30. Area is clear!
Mission stopped now due to clouds. AVIRIS-4 returns to Roskilde for refueling and monitoring the weather for another sortie.
Lines 20-29 are remaining.
Lines 19 and 30 will ideally be repeated.
Lines 20-29 are remaining.
Lines 19 and 30 will ideally be repeated.
August 18, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Mission stopped now due to clouds. AVIRIS-4 returns to Roskilde for refueling and monitoring the weather for another sortie.
Lines 20-29 are remaining.
Lines 19 and 30 will ideally be repeated.
Lines 20-29 are remaining.
Lines 19 and 30 will ideally be repeated.
Line 16 done, now we got some clouds just to the E of us; we switch now to the Eastern lines as there the area is clear.
August 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Line 16 done, now we got some clouds just to the E of us; we switch now to the Eastern lines as there the area is clear.
We have completed the crossline # 42, now doing line 13 near Lake Tissø.
Will continue working to the E from here.
Will continue working to the E from here.
August 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
We have completed the crossline # 42, now doing line 13 near Lake Tissø.
Will continue working to the E from here.
Will continue working to the E from here.
AVIRIS-4 is operational again and we aim at starting imaging in the West around 1015 LT.
Skies are currently cristal clear (0/8).
Skies are currently cristal clear (0/8).
August 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
AVIRIS-4 is operational again and we aim at starting imaging in the West around 1015 LT.
Skies are currently cristal clear (0/8).
Skies are currently cristal clear (0/8).
Pressure keeps going down, the sensor is cooling down!
We should be operational again in about 3 hours from now. Planning to start imaging over Åmosen around 1015 LT.
AVIRIS-4 rescue mission is completed!
We should be operational again in about 3 hours from now. Planning to start imaging over Åmosen around 1015 LT.
AVIRIS-4 rescue mission is completed!
August 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Pressure keeps going down, the sensor is cooling down!
We should be operational again in about 3 hours from now. Planning to start imaging over Åmosen around 1015 LT.
AVIRIS-4 rescue mission is completed!
We should be operational again in about 3 hours from now. Planning to start imaging over Åmosen around 1015 LT.
AVIRIS-4 rescue mission is completed!
The spare vacuum hose is doing the job and the pressure vessel is approaching nominal values again 🎉
August 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The spare vacuum hose is doing the job and the pressure vessel is approaching nominal values again 🎉
We have almost completed the western block; now sun angles are getting too low and a denser layer of cirrus is approaching.
We finish up with the cross-lines for LIDAR calibration.
We finish up with the cross-lines for LIDAR calibration.
August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
We have almost completed the western block; now sun angles are getting too low and a denser layer of cirrus is approaching.
We finish up with the cross-lines for LIDAR calibration.
We finish up with the cross-lines for LIDAR calibration.
Imaging has started on Åmosen mission, sky clear above, some convective clouds to the East.
August 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Imaging has started on Åmosen mission, sky clear above, some convective clouds to the East.
AVIRIS-4 is en route to Aamosen area, about 170 NM to go.
WX clearing up is we proceed north.
WX clearing up is we proceed north.
August 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
AVIRIS-4 is en route to Aamosen area, about 170 NM to go.
WX clearing up is we proceed north.
WX clearing up is we proceed north.
Pre-FLT preparations
August 16, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Pre-FLT preparations
WX Assessment and FLT Plan for SAT 16th AUG
0900 - 1100 LT: XFER LSGC - EDDE
1100 - 1230 LT: Refuel with GPU
1230 LT: T/O, XFER to DNK area for ~1.5 h imaging, then landing in EKRK
0900 - 1100 LT: XFER LSGC - EDDE
1100 - 1230 LT: Refuel with GPU
1230 LT: T/O, XFER to DNK area for ~1.5 h imaging, then landing in EKRK
August 16, 2025 at 5:31 AM
WX Assessment and FLT Plan for SAT 16th AUG
0900 - 1100 LT: XFER LSGC - EDDE
1100 - 1230 LT: Refuel with GPU
1230 LT: T/O, XFER to DNK area for ~1.5 h imaging, then landing in EKRK
0900 - 1100 LT: XFER LSGC - EDDE
1100 - 1230 LT: Refuel with GPU
1230 LT: T/O, XFER to DNK area for ~1.5 h imaging, then landing in EKRK
WX FCST and FLT Plans till 21 AUG
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
August 16, 2025 at 5:25 AM
WX FCST and FLT Plans till 21 AUG
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
WX FCST and FLT Plans till 21 AUG
FRI 15: Aletsch/Blatten -> Done!
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
Note: Thun 8/8 not possible with rainy conditions
FRI 15: Aletsch/Blatten -> Done!
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
Note: Thun 8/8 not possible with rainy conditions
August 15, 2025 at 2:47 PM
WX FCST and FLT Plans till 21 AUG
FRI 15: Aletsch/Blatten -> Done!
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
Note: Thun 8/8 not possible with rainy conditions
FRI 15: Aletsch/Blatten -> Done!
SAT 16: XFER DNK, DNK IMG in PM
SUN 17: DNK
MON 18: DNK
TUE 19: DNK backup
WED 20: XFER LSGC, likely build-out
THU 21: Thun 8/8 ?
Note: Thun 8/8 not possible with rainy conditions
Aletsch at FL190 completed with top 2/3 imaged under clear conditions.
Special polyline acquisition is next at FL150.
Special polyline acquisition is next at FL150.
August 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Aletsch at FL190 completed with top 2/3 imaged under clear conditions.
Special polyline acquisition is next at FL150.
Special polyline acquisition is next at FL150.
We are shortening the lines, doing only the northern part that is cloud free.
August 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
We are shortening the lines, doing only the northern part that is cloud free.
Tricky conditions for Aletsch with cloud shadows over the lower reaches of the ice.
We may have to abort before doing all lines if the convection worsens.
We may have to abort before doing all lines if the convection worsens.
August 15, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Tricky conditions for Aletsch with cloud shadows over the lower reaches of the ice.
We may have to abort before doing all lines if the convection worsens.
We may have to abort before doing all lines if the convection worsens.
Blatten mission has started under clear conditions.
August 15, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Blatten mission has started under clear conditions.