Performance analysis for the cryogenic etalon spectrometer on the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite

The Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) program has the objective of providing an 18-month to 2-year platform for observations of the upper atmosphere, giving particular attention to the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. The primary aims of the mission are related to the measurement of the solar energy input between 120 and 500 km, the acquisition of global maps of the vertical and horizontal distribution of a series of critical trace and minor species, and the investigation of the dynamics of the upper atmosphere. One of several instruments designed to perform neutral species measurements on board the satellite is the Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer (CLAES). The CLAES experiment is concerned with measurements of concentrations of species of interest to the ozone layer balance. Attention is given to the performance requirements of the instrument and the effects of these requirements on the cryogenic design.