Instrument Support, Data Analysis, Model Development, and Theoretical Studies Concerning Composition and Processes of the Middle and Upper Atmosphere and Solar Atmosphere

Authors: COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS INC ANNANDALE VA

Abstract:

This contract provided the opportunity to conduct research on several topics in the general areas of upper atmospheric physics, middle atmospheric physics, and solar physics. It also provided the opportunity to support future experimental programs within NRL's Space Physics Division such as RAIDS, SSULI, SUSIM, MAHRSI, and POAM. Support was in the form of laboratory work, data simulations, and development of algorithms for retrieving geophysical information from the listed instruments. On the SSULI task, e.g., extensive calculations of the dayglow from 834 A to 1800 A were made to estimate signal strengths and investigate the sensitivity of O+ 834 A to O+ in the F-region. Under the SUSIM task, an entirely new retrieval algorithm was developed which performs an inversion of the occultation data to determine number density profiles in a model independent manner. In addition, a great deal of work went into the development of an accurate forward model code which has been used extensively in the pre-flight phase to generate realistic simulations of the SUSIM occultation data sets. Under the task involving remote sensing at millimeter wavelengths, the META code has developed to the point where it provides accurate simulations of the ground based millimeter wave emission measurements being performed by NRL.

Limitations:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE