ASDC | SPADE_Sondes_Data

SPADE Level 2

Entry Title: SPADE Balloonsondes and Ozonesondes Data

Entry ID: SPADE_Sondes_Data_1

Field Campaigns

Description

SPADE_Sondes_Data is the balloonsonde and ozonesonde data collected during the Stratospheric Photochemistry, Aerosols and Dynamics Expedition (SPADE) suborbital campaign. Data collection for this product is complete.

The SPADE campaign was a field mission conducted by NASA from October 1992 to October 1993. SPADE’s primary goal was to quantify key chemical reaction rates affecting ozone production and loss. SPADE had four scientific objectives. The first objective of SPADE was to study chemical processes potentially affecting ozone at altitudes most strongly influenced by stratospheric aviation. This was accomplished by making comprehensive measurements of radicals and reservoir species (HOx radicals, NO2, NO, NOy, ClO, O3, HCL, sulfate aerosols, UV, and visible irradiances). The second objective was examining distributions of tracers whose concentrations in the lower stratospheres vary on time scales ranging from months to years. Thirdly, SPADE aimed to determine the effects of heterogeneous chemistry on concentrations of radicals and reservoir species. This was done by obtaining data for various stages of decay of the Mt. Pinatubo aerosol, as well as examining morning-evening differences. Finally, SPADE had the objective of laying the groundwork for future 1994 field missions of the High-Speed Research Program (HSRP) and NASA’s Upper Atmosphere Research Program (UARP).

In order to complete its objectives, the SPADE field team deployed the NASA ER-2 aircraft and balloon sondes. The ER-2 was equipped with 12 instruments to collect various atmospheric measurements. Among these instruments, the High-Sensitivity Fast-Response CO2 Analyzer (Harvard CO2) collected in-situ measurements of CO2, while the Airborne Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer (ATLAS) recorded in-situ measurements of N2O, CH4, CO, and ozone. Another in-situ instrument was the Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS), which collected data on N2O, H2O isotopes, H2O, CO, CH4, CO2 isotopes, and HCl. The Airborne Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (ACTAS) instrument, a gas chromatographer, was used to collect measurements of CFCl3, SF6, N2O, CHCl3, and CH4 among others. The ER-2 was also equipped with the O3 Photometer (NOAA O3) and the Meteorological Measurement System (MMS). The NOAA O3 measured ozone in the atmosphere, while the MMS analyzed meteorological variables such as temperature, turbulence, altitudes, true air speeds, and 3D wind. The balloon sondes were responsible for collecting measurements on temperature, geopotential, wind direction, wind speed, and dew point depression.

DOI

10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SPADE/Sondes_Data_1

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GENERAL DOCUMENTATION

SPADE Mission Statement
SPADE Science Overview

From GCMD Science Keywords:

WIND DIRECTION > SURFACE WINDS
STATIC TEMPERATURE > SURFACE TEMPERATURE
WIND SPEED > SURFACE WINDS
GEOPOTENTIAL HEIGHT
DEWPOINT DEPRESSION > DEW POINT TEMPERATURE > SURFACE TEMPERATURE

Data Distribution

File Format(s):

AMES

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Spatial Information

Spatial Coverage: (S: 30.12, N: 76.23), (W: -179.48, E: 179.32)
Spatial Coverage Type: Horizontal Vertical
Coordinate System: Cartesian
Granule Spatial Representation: Cartesian

Locations

SAN JOSE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TROPOSPHERE

Temporal Information

Temporal Coverage: 1992-10-10 - 1993-10-27

Platforms

Permanent Land Sites

GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS

RADIOSONDES

Metadata Dates

Created on 2025-09-29