SOVA-S
The SOVA-S (Satellite Observation of waVes in the Atmosphere - Scout) scientific mission is a successful answer to the ESA Second Scout Cycle Earth Observation missions. The main goals are focused on atmospheric research and the associated climate research, with the aim of improving climate models and potentially advancing extreme weather forecast models.
New mission concept
Our SOVA-Scout Mission is complementary to the upcoming ESA Earth Explorer 11 Candidate mission CAIRT and Earth Explorer 12 Candidate mission Keystone and is characterised by agile and low-cost development process to prove a new concept for future ESA endeavours.
SOVA-S is the first ESA Scout mission with a consortium led by a Czech company that has been selected as one of the top 4 international projects submitted for the initiative, and has thus progressed to the consolidation phase.
Scientific background
The global climate is influenced by so-called atmospheric gravity waves and current climate models do not accurately take this phenomenon into account. These (air) waves transport an immense amount of energy from the lower atmosphere to the upper atmosphere where they break up and travel great distances, just like ocean waves, but on a larger scale.
What is the benefit of SOVA-S?
Primary objective
SOVA-S aims to obtain global and daily coverage of the atmospheric gravity wave parameters in the middle and upper atmosphere (80–370 km). Gravity waves propagate within these altitude regions, influencing weather dynamics. The data will help improve climate models and forecasts of extreme weather events such as heavy rain or storms affecting agriculture, flooding, and even aviation turbulence.
Secondary objectives
There are two secondary objectives, which are yet to be explored. The first focuses on investigating ionospheric disturbances caused by the behaviour of gravity waves within this atmospheric layer. The second objective is to monitor the propagation of waves over regions with increased meteorological activity. Based on the collected data about gravity wave behaviour, scientists will be able to predict storm tracks more accurately and improve both risk assessment and natural hazard management.
How will atmospheric gravity waves be measured?
SOVA-S intends to measure the atmospheric gravity wave parameters (horizontal and vertical wavelengths) by measuring the intensity of airglow. It is a faint emission of light by a planetary atmosphere. This phenomenon is similar to the aurora borealis, but is produced by a different chemical reaction.
There are two cameras designed to measure the airglow. The nadir camera is observing the Earth's atmosphere in a vertical direction to the surface (nadir), while the limb camera captures the atmosphere at an angle determined by a tangent to the Earth (limb). Measuring the intensity of airglow in different atmospheric layers will provide a comprehensive view of the gravity wave parameters.
Important milestones
The SOVA-S mission was officially signed by ESA and the prime contractor OHB Czechspace on July 26, 2025 in Vienna. The project is currently in the consolidation phase, which will last until January 2026. Two winning projects from ESA's SCOUT missions will enter the implementation phase in January 2027.
Who is behind SOVA-S?
The SOVA-S mission is led by the OHB Czechspace team with support provided by strategically selected subcontractors, Berlin Space Technologies and OHB System, with a proven track record in satellite technology, ensuring solid foundation of expertise and innovation for successful mission execution.
The science teams are led by the Principal Investigator of the German Space Agency (DLR) and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IAP-CAS). This team is also backed by renowned scientists in the field of atmospheric physics from across the globe.
