UCAR/NCAR Archives - About the collections

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About the Collections

The UCAR / NCAR Archives collects and preserves manuscripts and archival materials that trace the history of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Since its inception in 1960, NCAR has been a program of the National Science Foundation and managed by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The archival collection also includes records of the High Altitude Observatory since its origin in 1940.

The collection contains materials such as correspondence, research data, administrative records, publications, audio and video recordings, films, drawings and blueprints, and artifacts including novel scientific instruments.

(A view of HIAPER's landing gear going up as the aircraft continues to climb during the pilot proficiency flights at the Research Aviation Facility at the JeffCo airport in Broomfield, Colorado, August 17-19, 2005. Photo is courtesy of Carlye Calvin of UCAR.) NCAR's HIAPER (High Performance Instrumental Platform for Environmental Research) is a research aircraft with altitude, range, and endurance capabilities that will enable investigators to perform critical earth system research. With a scientific payload of approximately 6000 pounds, the HIAPER will be able to climb to an altitude of 41,000 feet in approximately 22 minutes. The maximum certified altitude for the aircraft is 51,000 feet. The ability to carry payloads to such high altitudes will enable scientists to conduct important atmospheric studies in and near the tropopause. The modified aircraft will be capable of covering a range of 6000 nautical miles in a single flight, which will allow for such missions as a research flight covering the western, southern, and eastern borders of the continental U.S. (from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine) and studies of the South Pole environment conducted from South America or New Zealand. Please visit http://www.hiaper.ucar.edu/.

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