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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Calibration flight over Fribourg is proceeding nicely under excellent WX conditions! ☀️🛩️

ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

ARES is getting ready for an imaging mission over Heraklion, Crete! Today will be around 8 hours of transfer with two legs.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

WX is variable. IMG options exist on WED 26th. TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in. WED 26 Birsfelden & Zermatt THU 27 Sensor build-out

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

WX is variable. IMG options are likely to exist on WED 26th. MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam) TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in. WED 26 Birsfelden & Zermatt THU 27 Sensor build-out

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

WX is variable. IMG options are likely to exist on WED 26th. SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam) TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in. Birsfelden ? WED 26 Birsfelden & Zermatt THU 27 Sensor build-out

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Great outreach at Scientifica at Dübendorf airfield!!! 🛩️😎🎉 Thanks to the ARES and SFS teams!

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

WX is variable but FCSTs have improved. IMG options are likely to exist on WED 26th. SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam) TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in. Birsfelden ? WED 26 Birsfelden & Zermatt THU 27 Sensor build-out

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

WX is variable. Possible IMG options next week on TUE, WED & THU AM FRI 21 Setup for Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam) TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in WED 26 Birsfelden and/or Zermatt

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Possible IMG option next week on WED. THU 20 - FRI 21 Setup for Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam) TUE 25 Tecnam Build-in WED 26 Birsfelden and/or Zermatt

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Birsfelden FLT is only a couple of hours away, WX looking great! IMG option next WED. WED 19 Birsfelden repeat, XFER to LSMD THU 20 - FRI 21 Setup Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, start Tecnam Build-in TUE 25 Build-in WED 26 Birsfelden / Zermatt

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Planning is in full action again; new schedule as of this afternoon: TUE 18 - WED 19 Birsfelden repeat, XFER to LSMD THU 20 - FRI 21 Setup for Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC SUN 23 - MON 24 Build-out AVIRIS-4, possibly start Tecnam Build-in (incl Hypercam)

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Good WX conditions in CHE midlands on FRI. THU 13 Aircraft released. AVIRIS-4 cooling. FRI 14 Blatten and WDB SAT 15 - SUN 16 - MON 17 - TUE 18 - WED 19 Night FLT training THU 20 Night IMG ZRH FRI 21 XFER LFSM-LSGC-LSMD, setup for Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

WED 12 Solar eclipse! THU 13 Aircraft released. AVIRIS-4 cooling. FRI 14 Blatten and WDB SAT 15 - SUN 16 - MON 17 - TUE 18 - WED 19 Night FLT training. THU 20 Night IMG ZRH. FRI 21 XFER LSGC-LSMD (or LFSM-LSMD), setup for Scientifica SAT 22 Scientifica. XFER LSMD-LSGC

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Good WX conditions in CHE midlands on THU and FRI. Then increasing chances of clouds and thunderstorms. WED 12 Solar eclipse! THU 13 Aircraft released. AVIRIS-4 cooling. FRI 14 Blatten and WDB SAT 15 Blatten backup

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

ARES has upcoming missions in CHE in the month of AUG. Tentative plan: THU 13 Aircraft released. AVIRIS-4 cooling. FRI 14 WDB SAT 15 Blatten Assessment for night flight 🌃: quarter moon 🌒 on MON 16.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

ARES has returned to Switzerland🇨🇭 and the aircraft will now undergo routine maintenance before we resume FLT OPs again, likely starting mid next week ✈️. WX FCSTs will again be posted on this channel from end of this week onwards.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

FIN mission successfully completed with a strong final sortie using a gap ☀️between a high cloud band and convective clouds building! ARES is now en route to Sweden. Strong SW winds create nice sun glint effects in the Finnish Archipelago 😎

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

The mission areas of Pallas and Sodankylä are slowly clearing ☀️ This matches our expectations based on yesterday's FCST. Our schedule remains for now as communicated but may be slightly delayed to match the ongoing clearing of the target areas.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

ARES has arrived at EFRO (Rovaniemi) ready for tomorrow’s missions. WX FCST for tomorrow SAT remains good ☀️ The sensor is setup to stay cool over night.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

WX FCST for the North is remaining good for SAT. Options to finish Aalto on SUN/MON. 31 JUL XFER to EFRO 01 AUG Sodankylä & Pallas. XFER EFTP. 02 AUG Aalto cleanup 03 AUG Aalto cleanup XFER back to CHE on 02 or 03 AUG.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The imaging of Oluvasso is nearing completion under excellent conditions. WX FCST for the North has improved since this morning. 30 JUL XFER to Oulu incl Oluvasso IMG 31 JUL XFER to EFKT 01 AUG Sodankylä & Pallas. XFER EFTP. 02 AUG Maybe Aalto cleanup 02 AUG Maybe Aalto cleanup

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

H pressure condition governs the WX over FIN till THU evening, then an L system moves in leading to variable conditions. 30 JUL XFER to Oulu incl Oluvasso IMG 31 JUL Crew rest 01 AUG Maybe North or Aalto cleanup 02 AUG Maybe Aalto cleanup 02 AUG Maybe Aalto cleanup

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Detailed Plan for next days: 29 JUL Alto sites in the PM. Stay at EFTP. 30 JUL Southern sites if still required, then try Oluvasso if WX permits 31 JUL Maybe Oluvasso 01 AUG Maybe Oluvasso 02 AUG Maybe North 03 AUG Maybe North

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

FIN WX FCST shows IMG conditions in the South from WED 29 JUL till THU 30 JUL. Olvassuo on THU morning, maybe also on FRI or SAT although uncertain. Northern sites have a window on THU AM, then possibly SUN AM or MON AM. Surisso is completed. We try and finish the South this PM.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

FIN WX FCST shows IMG conditions in the South and Centre from WED 29 JUL till THU 30 JUL. Northern sites have a window on THU AM. XFER ESKN to EFTP shifted to WED due to heavy WX incl icing en route today. Three possible deployment versions are being planned. More details to come.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

FIN WX FCST shows IMG conditions in the South and Centre from WED 29 JUL till FRI 31 JUL. Northern sites uncertain. 27 JUL Crew rest 28 JUL XFER to EFTP 29 JUL Southern sites 30 JUL Southern sites, XFER to Oulu incl Oluvasso IMG 31 JUL Oluvasso backup 01 AUG Crew rest 02 AUG Oluvasso backup

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

FIN WX FCST has improved with H FCST to appear on THU 30 JUL. XFER from ESKN to next Forward Operating Base (FOB) at EFTP on TUE 28 JUL. 26 JUL Crew rest 27 JUL Crew rest 28 JUL XFER to EFTP 29 JUL Southern sites 30 JUL Southern sites, XFER to Oulu 31 JUL Oluvasso 01 AUG Crew rest 02 AUG Oluvasso

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

We have gone through another thorough assessment procedure and decided to move ARES into a Forward Operating Base (FOB) near Stockholm to shorten our reaction time to upcoming WX windows. We will XFER this afternoon, refuelling currently under way.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

FIN WX FCST is deteriorating again with chances of success dropping rapidly in the last 24 hr FCST period. Absolutely shocking development into another high-risk operation. This is another critical decision point while the aircraft is already north-bound.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

FIN WX showing IMG conditions starting 29 JUL, possibly also already on 28 JUL 25 JUL XFER to FIN 26 JUL XFER to FIN 27 JUL Crew rest 28 JUL Crew rest or IMG FIN 29 JUL IMG in FIN: southern sites 30 JUL Southern sites, XFER to Oulu 31 JUL Oluvasso 01 AUG Oluvasso backup

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

BioScale over CHNP is completed under excellent conditions☀️. Incredible flying today in difficult terrain! 🏔️ Kudos to the SFS pilots! 🎉

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

ARES has completed the large area of CHNP, now performing the BioScale scaling experiment.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

ARES is inbound for CHNP, grand day for IMG in the Alps!

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

ARES is getting ready for CHNP, all systems looking good ✅ WX looking great ☀️

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

FIN WX showing options starting 29 JUL 23 JUL Crew rest 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL XFER to FIN 26 JUL XFER to FIN 27 JUL Crew rest 28 JUL Crew rest 29 JUL Start of IMG in FIN

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

FIN WX now showing options starting 29 JUL 22 JUL Tecnam build-out, Caravan build-in 23 JUL Crew rest 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL Crew rest 26 JUL Crew rest or XFER to FIN 27 JUL XFER to FIN 28 JUL XFER to FIN or Start of IMG in FIN 29 JUL Start of IMG in FIN

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

We’ve had a fun day of logistics here at LSGC with the team from SFS, moving AVIRIS-4 from the Tecnam to the Caravan. Here is for now the whole aircraft fleet that acts as carrier for ARES 🛩️😎.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Successful test flight ✈️ on the Tecnam today over Colombier, all systems worked to satisfaction and we collected more data for geolocation studies by our colleagues at EPFL!

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

FIN WX possibly showing options starting 27 JUL 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT, build-out 22 JUL Tecnam build-out, Caravan build-in 23 JUL Crew rest 24 JUL CHNP Tentative: 25 JUL Crew rest or XFER to FIN 26 JUL XFER to FIN 27 JUL Start of IMG in FIN

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

First build-in into the SFS Tecnam aircraft is successful; the real test will be tomorrow’s test FLT!

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

FIN WX remaining suboptimal. Rapid plan abandoned as too ambitious. 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT, build-out 22 JUL Caravan build-in 23 JUL Crew rest 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL Crew rest

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

FIN WX remaining suboptimal 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT 22 JUL Tecnam build-out 23 JUL Caravan build-in 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL CHNP backup Rapid Option: 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT, build-out, Caravan build-in 22 JUL CHNP

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

FIN WX showing options on 27-28. Probability is low. 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT 22 JUL Tecnam build-out 23 JUL Caravan build-in 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL CHNP backup 26-27 FIN XFER ? 28-29 FIN South ?

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

FIN WX showing options on 27-28. Probability is low. 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT 22 JUL Tecnam build-out 23 JUL Caravan build-in 24 JUL CHNP 25 JUL CHNP backup 26 JUL FIN XFER ? 27- FIN South ?

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

CHNP cancelled for now due to performance envelope of Tecnam. FIN WX showing again options on 26-27. 20 JUL Tecnam build-in 21 JUL Tecnam Test FLT 22 JUL Tecnam build-out 23 JUL Caravan build-in? 24 JUL CHNP ? 25 JUL XFER FIN or CHNP ? 26-27 FIN South ?

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

WX for CHNP is reported fine by some models for mid next week. FIN deployment is currently on hold due to deteriorating FCSTs. 20 JUL HB-LVS build-in 21 JUL Test FLT 22 JUL CHNP FLT 23 JUL CHNP FLT backup, HB-LVS build-out

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

A possible deployment to FIN is foreseen due to FCST H system by 25 JUL. WX for CHNP is reported fine by many models for mid next week. 20 JUL HB-LVS build-in 21-23 CHNP FLT 23 JUL HB-TEN build-in 24 JUL XFER to FIN 25 JUL Star of FIN IMG

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A possible deployment to FIN is foreseen due to FCST H system by 25 JUL. WX for CHNP is reported fine by MeteoBlue for mid next week. 20 JUL HB-LVS build-in 21-23 CHNP FLT 23 JUL HB-TEN build-in 24-25 XFER to FIN 26 JUL FIN IMG

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Appreciation: A succession of L pressure areas is sweeping across FIN from W to E between 18 and 26 JUL. This trend will continue till end of JUL. GFS suggests a new anticyclonic system to form in the central N Atlantic by 28 JUL. Consequence: We see no opening for a deployment at this point.

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ARES Observatory @ares-observatory.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The Omega predicted by yesterday’s models at synoptic time 1200Z has now disappeared. The small chances of clear skies predicted by GFS (see WX clear sky matrix) are unlikely. ECMWF predicts clouds and rain during the week of the 20 JUL We see no opening for a deployment at this point.

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