Global satellite monitoring of the atmosphere and ionosphere

The possibilities of monitoring the atmosphere and ionosphere along satellite-to-satellite radio occultation paths are considered. A relation between the amplitude and the phase of the signal sounding the medium is substantiated. Owing to this relation, it is possible to separate the influence of layered and wave structures from the influence of turbulence in the atmosphere and ionosphere. The possibility to observe internal atmospheric waves on the basis of radio-hologram analysis is shown. A relation between solar activity and the presence of sporadic layers in the lower ionosphere on the one hand and changes in the amplitude and phase of radio waves on a satellite-to-satellite path on the other hand is revealed. Examples of vertical profiles of the atmospheric temperature and the electron density in the lower ionosphere are presented. These data are based on the results of radio occultation experiments performed during different space missions.