The upper atmosphere research satellite
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) will provide, for the first time, data on a global basis for the study of the physical processes acting witin and upon the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. Specifically, the areas of scientifc study to be addressed are energy input and loss, photochemistry, dynamics, and the coupling among processes and between atmospheric regions. The UARS is a single observatory consisting of a multimission modular spacecraft (MMS) and an instrument module containing 10 scientific instruments. The satellite will be Shuttle launched and placed in a 57 deg inclined orbit at 600 km altitude. A Central Data Handling Facility (CDHF) will receive data from the satellite and process these data into atmospheric quantities for use by the science team. The 'processed' data will be stored at the CDHF and will be available via communication lines for analysis by the investigators at their home laboratories using remote computers. Together with other satellite programs, balloons, sounding rockets, and laboratory efforts, UARS will make available the opportunity for extensive coordination of data devoted to solar terrestrial study.