This Technical Memorandum describes the NASA Marshall Engineering Thermosphere Model-Version 2.0 (MET-V 2.0) and contains an explanation on the use of the computer program along with an example of the MET-V 2.0 model products. The MET-V 2.0 provides an update to the 1988 version of the model. It provides information on the total mass density, temperature, and individual species number densities for any altitude between 90 and 2,500 km as a function of latitude, longitude, time, and solar and geomagnetic activity. A description is given for use of estimated future 13-mo smoothed solar flux and geomagnetic index values as input to the model. Address technical questions on the MET-V 2.0 and associated computer program to Jerry K. Owens, Spaceflight Experiments Group, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 (256-961-7576; e-mail [email protected]).Owens, J. K.Marshall Space Flight CenterTHERMOSPHERE; FLUX QUANTIZATION; GEOMAGNETISM; LIFE (DURABILITY); SATELLITES; COMPUTER PROGRAMS; ELECTRONIC MAIL; ESTIMATING; LATITUDE; LONGITUDE; SOLAR FLUX; SPACEBORNE EXPERIMENTS

The latest version of Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM-99) is presented and discussed. GRAM-99 uses either (binary) Global Upper Air Climatic Atlas (GUACA) or (ASCII) Global Gridded Upper Air Statistics (GGUAS) CD-ROM data sets, for 0-27 km altitudes. As with earlier versions, GRAM-99 provides complete geographical and altitude coverage for each month of the year. GRAM-99 uses a specially-developed data set, based on Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) data, for 20-120 km altitudes, and NASA's 1999 version Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET-99) model for heights above 90 km. Fairing techniques assure smooth transition in overlap height ranges (2()%27 km and 9% 120km). GRAM-99 includes water vapor and 11 other atmospheric constituents (03, N20 CO, CH4, CO2, N2, 02, 0, A, He and H). A variable-scale perturbation model provides both large-scale (wave) and small-scale (stochastic) deviations from mean values for thermodynamic variables and horizontal and vertical wind components. The small-scale perturbation model includes improvements in representing intermittency ("patchiness"). A major new feature is an option to substitute Range Reference Atmosphere (RRA) data for conventional GRAM climatology when a trajectory passes sufficiently near any RRA site. A complete user's guide for running the program, plus sample input and output, is provided. An example is provided for how to incorporate GRAM-99 as subroutines in other programs (e.g., trajectory codes).

The Earth's atmosphere is often portrayed as a thin and finite blanket covering our planet, separate from the emptiness of outer space. In reality, the transition is gradual and a tiny fraction of the atmophere gases is still present at the altitude of low orbiting satellites. The very high velocities of these satellites ensure that their orbital motion can still be considerably affected by air density and wind. This influence can be measured using accelerometers and satellite tracking techniques. The opening chapters of this thesis provide an excellent introduction to the various disciplines that are involved in the interpretation of these observations: orbital mechanics, satellite aerodynamics and upper atmospheric physics. A subsequent chapter, at the heart of this work, covers advances in the algorithms used for processing satellite accelerometry and Two-Line Element (TLE) orbit data. The closing chapters provide an elaborate analysis of the resulting density and wind products, which are generating many opportunities for further research, to improve the modelling and understanding of the thermosphere system and its interactions with the lower atmosphere, the ionosphere-magnetosphere system and the Sun.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 181. Filling the need for a 20-year lag in substantial consideration of the midlatitude ionosphere, this volume focuses on work that takes advantage of GPS and UV imaging from satellites over the past decade, two methods that have profoundly transformed our understanding of this stratum of the atmosphere. Its interdisciplinary content brings together researchers of the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, polar and equatorial ionospheres, and space weather. Modeling and assimilative imaging of the ionosphere and thermosphere show for the first time the complex and global impact of midlatitude ionospheric storms. The editors invited the leading experts in the following areas to contribute the chapters herein: Characterization of Midlatitude Storms Electric Field Coupling From the Heliosphere and Inner Magnetosphere Thermospheric Control of the Midlatitude Ionosphere Ionospheric Irregularities Experimental Methods and New Techniques These themes were chosen to create a path for understanding the midlatitude ionosphere. They continue to be largely valid and represent a coherent division of the subject matter. They will be critical for understanding space weather during the upcoming solar maximum. This book was inspired by the Chapman Conference of the same name held January 2007.