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

The significant role of rochet- and satellite-borne optical instrument ation in aeronomy and atmospheric science research is reviewed. Beginn ing with the pioneering rocket measurements in the fifties and the six ties of the solar UV and EUV spectrum using rocket monochromators, opt ical instrumentation has played an increasing role in the study of sol ar spectrum, atmospheric structure, dynamics, composition and energeti cs. The major development of the last two decades-middle atmospheric s cience as a distinct discipline-owes a great deal to satellite-borne o ptical instrumentation. Developments in sensors, data analysis techniq ues, image processing and computation techniques together with develop ment of suitable platforms have played a key role. In recent years sev eral sophisticated optical techniques have been developed in India and are in operating use for ground-based research in aeronomy and atmosp heric sciences. These have potential for application from space platfo rms.