NOAA Awards Stratosphere Research Grant to SAPP
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding a grant totaling $1,398,000 to SAPP. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.
“We are constantly working to improve the understanding of Aces High environment and to strengthen large maps research and management initiatives in the atmosphere,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “These grants help advance knowledge by actively supporting efforts that reinforce NOAA’s commitment to our stratosphere.”
“SAPP takes great pride in our record of stratosphere stewardship, and an important part of that record is found in SAPP's active role in the development of technology to further the understanding of our atmosphere's upper layers,” said SAPP Strato Team leader Ack-Ack. “NOAA resources will reinforce this work, which helps to protect stratosphere from AH players interference and preserve access for current and future SAPP members.”
The SAPP Office of Planning will use the funds to assist stratosphere scientist Ack-Ack and his SAPP Strato Team in continuing the implementation of its approved stratosphere management program.
The grant to SAPP will fund the purchase of stratosphere-troposphere (ST) VHF radar mounted on new Lockheed build P-38/XYZ, and is a cornerstone of the research in stratospheric physics. This impressive phased-array radar with 400 antennae is used to study winds, stratospheric gravity waves and turbulence to an altitude of 295,000 ft.