Objective The aim of SAFIRE-A is to manufacture a far infrared Fourier transform spectrometer to make atmospheric limb scanning observations. The instrument will be flown on either the Geophysica aircraft, the Strato-2C or balloons and will be capable to measure gases in the HOx family and other gases involved in stratospheric processes resulting in ozone depletion.The proposed instrument will use technology and observational techniques, which we have developed in connection with the SAFIRE(EOS) and IBEX (Infrared Balloon Experiment) programmes. The new instrument, designated SAFIRE-A, will be developed as an extension of the collaboration involving Italian, British, French and United States groups in the IBEX and SAFIRE projects.The far infrared spectral region of the atmospheric spectrum is particularly rich in spectral features of hydrogen and oxygen molecules important in ozone chemistry. SAFIRE-A will use a Fourier transform interferometer in conjunction with background-limited photoconductive detectors to detect far infrared spectral line emission from many key species. In particular, it will measure transitions of the NOx family (OH, HO2, H2O2) and of O3, H2O, HOCl, HF, HCl in the lower stratosphere. These capabilities will be available in the SAFIRE-A instrument as proposed here. It is important to note, however, that, with relatively minor changes, the instrument can be modified for use in different spectral regions between 3 and 700 cm-1.SAFIRE-A data will be used to determine the vertical concentration profiles of the observed species from the tropopause (which in the polar regions can be at less than 10 km) to the flight altitude (20-25 km for aircraft altitudes; 40 km for balloon altitudes), with measurements of total column content above the flight altitude. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencesozone depletionnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 0201 - Assessment of environmental quality and monitoring Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator COUNCIL FOR THE CENTRAL LABORATORY OF THE RESEARCH COUNCILS EU contribution No data Address Rutherford Appleton Laboratory OX11 0QX DIDCOT,HARWELL,CHILTON United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France EU contribution No data Address Complexe scientifique de Rangueil 31077 TOULOUSE See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Panciatichi 64 50127 FIRENZE See on map Total cost No data QUEEN MARY AND WESTFIELD COLLEGE - UNIVERSITY OF LONDON United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Mile End Road E1 4NS London See on map Total cost No data