Atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE): Analytical chemistry from orbit

ACE is a Canadian-led satellite mission that is measuring the concentrations of more than 30 atmospheric constituents by absorption spectroscopy using the Sun as a light source. The principal goal of the ACE mission is to make measurements that will improve understanding of the chemical and dynamic processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. The ACE instruments are an infrared Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS), a UV/visible/near IR spectrograph and a two-channel solar imager, all working in solar occultation mode. The high-resolution (0.02 cm−1) FTS is the primary instrument on the satellite, and it covers the mid-infrared spectral region (750–4400 cm−1).