ROCKET-BORNE AND SATELLITE-BORNE OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION FOR AERONOMY AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES STUDIES

The significant role of rochet- and satellite-borne optical instrumentation in aeronomy and atmospheric science research is reviewed. Beginning with the pioneering rocket measurements in the fifties and the sixties of the solar UV and EUV spectrum using rocket monochromators, optical instrumentation has played an increasing role in the study of solar spectrum, atmospheric structure, dynamics, composition and energetics. The major development of the last two decades-middle atmospheric science as a distinct discipline-owes a great deal to satellite-borne optical instrumentation. Developments in sensors, data analysis techniques, image processing and computation techniques together with development of suitable platforms have played a key role. In recent years several sophisticated optical techniques have been developed in India and are in operating use for ground-based research in aeronomy and atmospheric sciences. These have potential for application from space platforms.