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The upper atmosphere research satellite (UARS)
Author(s) -
Reber Carl A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/93gl01103
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , satellite , equator , environmental science , altitude (triangle) , spacecraft , space shuttle , atmospheric sciences , sun synchronous orbit , meteorology , mesosphere , remote sensing , latitude , geology , geosynchronous orbit , geodesy , physics , stratosphere , astronomy , geometry , mathematics
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) was launched by the Space Shuttle on September 12, 1991 into a near circular orbit at 585 km altitude inclined 57 degrees to the Equator. Measurements were initiated a few days later, including solar energy inputs to the atmosphere and vertical profiles of temperature, important minor gas species, and wind fields. The orbital parameters, combined with the sensor measurements characteristics, yield a measurement pattern that produces near global coverage with a duty cycle that periodically favors the Northern or the Southern hemispheres. A few spacecraft and instrument anomalies have impacted the total amount of data obtained to date, but the overall performance of the mission has been very good.