NASA Research Requirements for Atmospheric Observations

Observations of the atmosphere and its underlying surfaces (land and oceans) by space-based sensors have already made significant contributions to our understanding of atmospheric behavior. However, with one or two exceptions, these sensors have been passive in design and have therefore been subject not only to restrictive limitations in horizontal and vertical resolution, but in accuracy. Inversion schemes necessary to convert the measured radiances to a useful atmospheric parameter, a temperature profile for example, contribute to further degradation in the accuracy of the measurement.