This paper presents the results and interpretation of infrared data obtained by the Excede: Spectral auroral simulation experiment. We have analyzed 2- to 7-&mgr;m data from the two circular variable filter spectrometers. The dominant N2 electronic transition system identified in the data across this region is the N2(W3Δu&ngr;≤5→B3&Pgr;g,&ngr;≤3) band system which is observed at all altitudes. Nitric oxide fundamental emission is observed in the 5- to 7-&mgr;m region. The determined NO vibrational distribution can be attributed to the reaction N(2D)+O2. ¿American Geophysical Union 1991