and carbon dioxide) as well as some ablated materials and oxides of nitrogen produced during vehicle reentry. These effluents will modify the composition and properties of the natural atmosphere to a degree which has not yet been determined. Since such modifications may influence climate, satellite-based surveillance systems, radio communications, and navigation systems, microwave propagation (SPS microwave power beam stability) and magnetospheric processes, the likelihood and extent of these effects and their influences must be evaluated during FY 79 and FY 80. The recently held workshop on Upper-Atmospheric Effects resulted in the following set of recommended approaches to problems in the D&E regions of the ionosphere: 1. Examine existing models of the atmosphere between 50 and 120 km to determine the extent to which they are capable of explaining existing data on the normal variations. 2. Use the best of the models and add the effect of the rockets (launch and reentry). 3. Consider particularly the role of horizontal transport processes (e.g., planetary waves) on the dispersal of the contaminents. 4. Use sounding rockets to examine effects of in-situ deposition of contaminents; particularly mass spectrometers to examine time-variations. 5. Use existing data from satellites and ground-based stations to search for effects from previous launches. 6. Participate in planned scientific experiments, such as those to be conducted during the 1979 solar eclipse. 7. Interact with other programs, such as the NASA space shuttle and the DOD SCATHA satellite. A preliminary list of research tasks based upon the workshop findings is included in the research plan for FY 79 and FY 80 (see Appendix 3B). The ionospheric layers above the D and E region are referred to as the Fl and F2 regions (see Fig. 3.1) or simply the F region for short. These regions are also subject to modifications in their composition and structure as a result of deposition of rocket effluents during launch, reentry, and space craft maneuvering operations in low earth orbit (LEO). The F2 region in particular overlaps the LEO.
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