Brief Description:
The work of the U.S. Committee on Extension to the Standard Atmosphere
(COESA), established in 1953, led to the 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1976 versions of
the U.S. Standard Atmosphere. These models were published in book form jointly
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. Air Force.
Altogether 30 U.S. organizations representing government, industry, research
institutions, and universities participated in the COESA effort. Based on
rocket and satellite data and perfect gas theory, the atmospheric densities and
temperatures are represented from sea level to 1000 km. Below 32 km the U.S.
Standard Atmosphere is identical with the Standard Atmosphere of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The U.S. Standard Atmospheres
1958, 1962, and 1976 consist of single profiles representing the idealized,
steady-state atmosphere for moderate solar activity. Parameters listed include
temperature, pressure, density, acceleration caused by gravity, pressure scale
height, number density, mean particle speed, mean collision frequency, mean
free path, mean molecular weight, sound speed, dynamic viscosity, kinematic
viscosity, thermal conductivity, and geopotential altitude. The altitude
resolution varies from 0.05 km at low altitudes to 5 km at high altitudes. All
tables are given in English (foot) as well as metric (meter) units. The U.S.
Standard Atmosphere Supplements, 1966 includes tables of temperature, pressure,
density, sound speed, viscosity, and thermal conductivity for five northern
latitudes (15, 30, 45, 60, 75), for summer and winter conditions.
Availability: In hard copy from the National Technical Information Office, Springfield, Virginia (Product Number: ADA-035-6000). The Fortran code can be obtained from Public Domain Aeronautical Software. A DOS executable and turbo pascal source code is available from Small World Communications.
References:
U.S. Extension to the ICAO Standard Atmosphere, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C., 1958.
U.S. Standard Atmosphere, 1962, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1962.
U.S. Standard Atmosphere Supplements, 1966, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1966.
U.S. Standard Atmosphere, 1976, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1976.
Go to the Atmospheric Models index Go to the Space Physics Models page
NASA Official: Dr. Robert McGuire, Head of the Space Physics Data Facility