ASDC | SPADE_TraceGas_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data

SPADE Level 2

Entry Title: SPADE ER-2 Aircraft In-Situ Trace Gas Data

Entry ID: SPADE_TraceGas_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data_1

Tropospheric Composition

Description

SPADE_TraceGas_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data is the in-situ trace gas data for the ER-2 aircraft collected during the Stratospheric Photochemistry, Aerosols and Dynamics Expedition (SPADE) suborbital campaign. Data were collected by instruments such as the High-Altitude Fast-Response CO2 Analyzer (Harvard CO2), Harvard Hydroxyl Experiment (HOx), Airborne Chromatograph For Atmospheric Trace Species (ACATS), Airborne Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer (ATLAS), Dual-Beam UV-Absorption Ozone Photometer (NOAA O3 Classic), Multiple Axis Resonance Fluorescence Chemical Conversion Detector for ClO and BrO (ClO/BrO), Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS), and the NOAA NOy instrument. 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/TraceGas_AircraftInSitu_ER2_Data_1

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GENERAL DOCUMENTATION

SPADE Mission Statement
SPADE Science Overview

From GCMD Science Keywords:

HYDROPEROXY > HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
WATER VAPOR MIXING RATIO PROFILES > WATER VAPOR PROFILES
CHLORINE MONOXIDE > HALOCARBONS AND HALOGENS
CFC-11 > CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS > HALOCARBONS AND HALOGENS
HYDROGEN CHLORIDE > HALOCARBONS AND HALOGENS
CARBON DIOXIDE PROFILES > ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS
ATMOSPHERIC NITRIC ACID > NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
TROPOSPHERIC OZONE
NITRIC OXIDE > NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXYL > HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE PROFILES > ATMOSPHERIC OZONE > OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROUS OXIDE > NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE PROFILES > ATMOSPHERIC CARBON MONOXIDE > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS
METHANE > CARBON AND HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS

Data Distribution

File Format(s):

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Spatial Information

Spatial Coverage: (S: -80.01, N: 60.25), (W: -127.01, E: 125.44)
Spatial Coverage Type: Horizontal Vertical
Coordinate System: Cartesian
Granule Spatial Representation: Cartesian

Locations

SAN JOSE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TROPOSPHERE

Temporal Information

Temporal Coverage: 1992-10-13 - 1993-10-26

Platforms

Jet

NASA ER-2

NASA Earth Resources-2

Harvard CO2

High-Altitude Fast-Response CO2 Analyzer

HOx

Harvard Hydroxyl Experiment

ACATS

Airborne Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species

ATLAS

Airborne Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer

NOAA O3 Classic

Dual-Beam UV-Absorption Ozone Photometer

ClO/BrO

Multiple Axis Resonance Fluorescence Chemical Conversion Detector for ClO and BrO

ALIAS

Airborne Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer

Metadata Dates

Created on 2025-09-29