We present the accuracy requirements for specific kinetic and spectroscopic parameters used in modeling populations of vibrationally excited hydroxyl. The requirements are based on simulations of the inference of chemical energy deposition rates and atomic hydrogen densities from satellite observations of the hydroxyl Meinel band emission rates. Improvement in the rate constants which describe the collisional removal of the high-lying v states of OH and the reaction of high-lying v states with atomic oxygen is required in addition to improved specification of the nascent distribution of energy within OH upon reaction of atomic hydrogen and ozone. These improvements are necessary for the interpretation of Meinel band measurements to be made from a new spaceflight experiment in less than 3 years. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union