Mission Objectives
The SAGE III mission enhanced our understanding of natural and human-derived atmospheric processes by providing accurate measurements of the vertical structure of aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and other important trace gases in the upper troposphere and stratosphere.
Human-derived changes in climate and ozone threaten the health of our planet. They also threaten global economic development and the use of new technologies like high-speed aircraft. By understanding the effect of human activities on the atmosphere, national and international leaders can make informed policy that addresses these threats.
Role in Earth Observation System
The role of the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) in NASA's Earth Observation System (EOS) was to provide global, long-term measurements of key components of the Earth's atmosphere. The most important of these are the vertical distribution of aerosols and ozone from the upper troposphere through the stratosphere. In addition, SAGE III provided unique profiles of the vertical concentration of trace gases, such as water vapor and nitrogen dioxide in the upper troposphere and stratosphere, that play significant roles in atmospheric radiative and chemical processes.
Instrument Design
The SAGE III instrument was a grating spectrometer to measure ultraviolet/visible energy. It relied upon the flight-proven designs used in the Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM I) and SAGE I and II instruments.
Development and Mission Details
The SAGE III instrument was developed and managed by NASA's Langley Research Center and was built by Ball Aerospace. Three copies were produced. One instrument was launched on the Meteor-3M spacecraft and a second was placed in orbit on the International Space Station in 2017. The third instrument now serves as a high-fidelity simulator for the SAGE III/ISS mission.
SAGE III on the Meteor-3M was a joint mission between NASA and the Russian Space Agency (RSA). It was launched December 10, 2001, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Science Team and Data Quality
The SAGE III-M3M Science Team functioned in a dual role ensuring the data quality and interpreting the SAGE III data in the broader context of global change.
- M. Patrick McCormick, Hampton University (Previously NASA Langley Research Center)
- Colette Brogniez, Laboratoire d’Optique Atmosphérique, Université des Sciences et de Technologies de Lille
- Andre A. Chernikov, Space Research Institute of Russia’s Academy of Science
- William P. Chu, NASA Langley Research Center
- Derek M. Cunnold, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- John DeLuisi, NOAA
- Patrick A. Durkee
- N.F. Elansky, Oboukhov Institute Atmospheric Physics
- Benjamin M. Herman, University of Arizona
- P.V. Hobbs, University of Washington
- Geoff S. Kent, Science and Technology Corporation
- Jacqueline Lenoble, Universite de Lille, France
- A.J. Miller, NOAA
- V.A. Mohnen, University of Albany
- V. Ramaswamy, NOAA
- David H. Rind, Goddard Institute for Space Studies
- Phillip B. Russell, SRI International Science
- V.K. Saxena, North Carolina State Univeristy
- Eric P. Shettle, Naval Research Laboratory
- Larry W. Thomason, NASA Langley Research Center
- Charles Trepte, NASA Langley Research Center
- G. Vali, University of Wyoming
- Steven C. Wofsy, Harvard University
- Joseph M. Zawodny, NASA Langley Research Center