Submillimeter-wavelength heterodyne spectroscopy and remote sensing of the upper atmosphere

The use of remote sensing based on heterodyne spectroscopy at submillimeter wavelengths to monitor changes and study processes in the Earth's upper atmosphere is discussed. An experiment for this purpose, performing measurements in spectral bands near 63, 183, and 205 GHz and now operational on the NASA Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), is described. An experiment which includes measurements in spectral bands up to 2.5 THz, being studied for future Earth observation systems, is briefly discussed.<
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