In this project we aim, on one hand, at improving significantly our knowledge of the thermal structure, composition, dynamics and energy budget of the atmosphere (from the stratosphere up to the thermosphere) with the data supplied by the IR instruments MIPAS/Envisat and SABER/TIMED, both recently launched. On the other hand, to study the same aspects of the Martian and Venusian middle and upper atmospheres with the IR instruments on board Mars-Express and Venus-Express. With respect to the first part, our objectives are:

1. to participate in the MIPAS QGW (Quality Working Group) on the validation of ESA operational L2 products;
2. to retrieve 2D maps of temperature and composition (O₃, H₂O, CH₄, CO₂, CO, NO₂ and NO) from the stratosphere up to the thermosphere from MIPAS nominal and upper atmosphere modes spectra and with SABER data; and
3. to study the chemical, dynamic and energetic proceses of these atmospheric regions with the retrieved data and 2D CTM and 3D TIME-GCM models.

The retrievals will be carried out with the innnovative retrieval scheme recently developed by our Group which includes the non- LTE proceses. Concerning Mars and Venus atmospheres, our aim is to improve our knowledge of the non-LTE processes that take place in the upper regions of these atmospheres, essential for understanding their energy budget, by analysing the measurements to be taken by PFS in Mars Express and Venus Express and VIRTIS in the latter. In addition, the photochemical models of the upper atmospheres of both planets will be verified with SPICAM measurements from both missions.

GAPT members involved:
Bernd Funke
Maya García Comas
Gabriella Gilli
Francisco González-Galindo
Ángel Aythami Jurado Navarro
María José López González
Manuel López-Puertas
Miguel Ángel López-Valverde