Organization:
Research Title: Stratospheric Chemistry Research Program
Funding Level (millions of dollars):
| FY94 | 23.4 |
|---|---|
| FY95 | 19.5 |
| FY96 | 16.3 |
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Component:
(a) Subcommittee: Global Change Research Subcommittee (100%)
(b) Environmental Issue: Ozone and ultraviolet Radiation (80%); Climate
change (10%);
Natural Variability (10%)
(c) Research Activity: System structure and function: Understanding (100%)
Organizational Component:
Ecology and Atmospheric Chemistry Branch
Science Division
Office of Mission to Planet Earth
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546
Point of Contact:
Michael Kurylo
Phone: 202-358-0237
E-Mail: mkurylo@hq.nasa.gov
Research Goals:
To develop and carry out a comprehensive program of research, technology, and
monitoring of the phenomena of the upper atmosphere so as to provide for an
understanding of and to maintain the chemical and physical integrity of the Earth's
upper
atmosphere.
Research Description:
The program conducts research aimed at understanding the processes by which
large-scale
anthropogenic and natural processes influence the chemistry of the stratosphere.
The program has emphasized airborne measurement campaigns in the polar
regions, mid
latitudes, and tropics, to observe first-hand and formulate a basis for understanding
anthropogenic perturbations to stratospheric ozone and to atmospheric composition
in and about the tropopause. Such perturbations include the effects of CFCs, Halons,
and their
replacements; methyl bromide; Nox emissions from subsonic and
supersonic aircraft;
etc. Observations are also conducted from balloon platforms (for high-altitude data
and satellite correlative measurements), and using ground-based instrumentation,
as part of the international Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change
(NDSC),
which is aimed at observing and understanding changes in the physical and
chemical
state of the stratosphere. Laboratory measurements of kinetic and photochemical
parameters
together
with the periodic assessment of the kinetics data base provide the basis for
understanding
and modeling the atmospheric observations. Laboratory spectroscopy measurements
are
carried out in support of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments.
Program Interfaces:
The Upper Atmosphere Research Program (UARP) interfaces with programs within
NASA,
in particular the Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling and Analysis Program (Office of
Mission to Planet Earth) and the Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project (Office
of Aeronautics). The latter consists of the Atmospheric Effects of Stratospheric
Aircraft (AESA) and Subsonic Assessment (SASS) programs. Furthermore, strong
interactions
exist with other US agencies, particularly NOAA and NSF (NCAR) through the field
measurement campaigns. International collaborations take place through the
NDSC,
and the
assessment activities sponsored by WMO/UNEP.
Program Milestones:
Late 1995-1996 analysis of ASHOE/MAESA data, results feeding into planning of
future
airborne missions by the UARP and AESA/SASS. 1995-1997 stratospheric traces of
Atmospheric Transport (STRAT) aircraft campaign to determine the rates of global
atmospheric transport by establishing a climatology of long-lived trace gases.
Policy Payoffs:
Assess the role of anthropogenic gases (CFCs, Halons, and their replacements;
CH3Br;
Nox) on the stratosphere, in particular stratospheric ozone; provide a
firm scientific
basis
for assessments of the environmental effects of subsonic and future supersonic
aircraft.