The first shuttle-based infrared spectral measurements in the region beyond 800 nm were made during the STS-39 mission. A cryogenic Michelson interferometer in the CIRRIS-1A payload yielded high quality atmospheric IR spectra in the earthlimb observing mode. In addition, observations in the very high earthlimb and in the bay-to-space mode provided important opportunities to assess optical contamination. These observations have revealed spectrally-extended H2O and NO emissions as dominant in the region 450--2500 cm-1 under quiescent conditions. The viewing conditions, spectral and ''spatial'' (limb scan) distributions, and temporal behavior of the H2O emissions have resulted in their classification as shuttle-induced ''cloud glow'' optical contamination. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994