PROGRAM TITLE:	Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS)
ACTIVITY STREAM:	Data and Observations
SCIENCE ELEMENT:	Climate and Hydrologic Systems
				Global Observing Systems

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

SCIENTIFIC MERIT:  The UARS program consists of a single, 
dedicated, fully-instrumented satellite and associated ground system 
designed to obtain the first global-scale data base on the chemistry, 
dynamics, and energy input to the Earth's upper atmosphere. 
Specifically, the UARS mission studies energy input and loss in the 
upper atmosphere, global photochemistry of the upper atmosphere, 
dynamics of the upper atmosphere, the coupling among these 
processes, and the coupling between the upper and lower 
atmosphere.  Launched in September, 1991, the UARS payload 
includes 10 instruments using proven technologies to measure upper 
atmosphere winds, stratospheric temperatures, solar energy input, 
and radiative loss. It also monitors the concentrations of a large 
number of stratospheric and mesospheric chemical species whose 
atmospheric presence is derived in large part from human activities. 
UARS continues key observations made by current and planned 
satellite instruments and will be followed by the EOS mission, which 
will continue these measurements on a long-term basis.

STAKEHOLDERS:  Extensive linkages have been put in place with the 
international and inter-agency scientific community for instrument 
development and testing, ground data system procurement and 
installation, data analysis and utilization, and the development of 
ground-truth and correlative measurement campaigns. The broader 
scientific community will use UARS data in an ongoing program of 
international ozone assessments undertaken through the auspices of 
the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World 
Meteorological Organization (WMO).

POLICY RELEVANCE:	Climate Change and Natural Variability
				Stratospheric Ozone and UV-B Radiation

UARS helps to fulfill NASA's legislative mandate to research and 
understand the upper atmosphere and its susceptibility to change, 
caused by natural events or anthropogenic activities. By providing 
simultaneous, coordinated measurements of atmospheric internal 
structure and measurements of the external influences acting on the 
atmosphere, UARS is advancing the understanding and prediction of 
stratospheric ozone depletion and of climate change.

PROGRAM CONTACT:	Mr. Stanley Schneider
Chief, Mission Operations and Data Analysis Branch
NASA Headquarters, Code YD
Washington, DC  20546
202-358-0255
sschneider@mtpe.hq.nasa.gov