HR: 1400h
AN: SA33A-09    [Abstracts]
TI: Space-based research into the ionosphere-thermosphere system: The need for greater organization and a plan for achieving it
AU: * Clemmons, J H
EM: james.clemmons@aero.org
AF: The Aerospace Corporation, P. O. Box 92957 Mail Station M2/260, Los Angeles, CA 90009, United States
AU: Crowley, G
EM: gcrowley@astraspace.net
AF: ASTRA, 12703 Spectrum Dr. Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States
AU: Heelis, R A
EM: heelis@utdallas.edu
AF: University Texas Dallas, POB 830688 MS WT15, Richardson, TX 75083, United States
AU: Mannucci, A J
EM: tony.mannucci@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Lab, MS 138-308 4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109, United States
AU: Paxton, L J
EM: larry.paxton@jhuapl.edu
AF: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, 11100 John Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723, United States
AU: Pfaff, R F
EM: Robert.F.Pfaff@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Cent, Mail Code 674, Greenbelt, MD 20771, United States
AU: Spann, J F
EM: jim.spann@nasa.gov
AF: NASA MSFC, Code VP60 320 Sparkman Dr, Huntsville, AL 35812, United States
AB: The current state of knowledge of the Earth`s ionosphere-thermosphere system has been produced by the exploitation of a broad spectrum of experimental investigatory techniques, both ground-based and space-based. In general, this diversity has been a strength, allowing a wide range of phenomena to be explored and providing complementary views of a number of important processes inherent to the ionosphere-thermosphere system. Most space-based measurement platforms include some inherent limitations, either related to instrument capabilities, satellite orbits, or spacecraft resources, while ground-based facilities are generally limited to a subset of key measurements gathered for the most part at all altitudes yet restricted to a fixed location. Despite the demonstrable progress of multi-instrument measurements of the ionosphere-thermosphere system, the ability of the I-T community to deploy large-scale, all-encompassing investigations has been limited, and consequently, so has the promise of their paradigm-changing impact on our understanding. Presented here is the rationale that this situation can be altered through greater organization of the ionosphere-thermosphere research community. Also presented is a plan for achieving this greater degree of organization.
DE: 0310 Airglow and aurora
DE: 0355 Thermosphere: composition and chemistry
DE: 0358 Thermosphere: energy deposition (3369)
DE: 2400 IONOSPHERE (6929)
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly