Solar infrared absorption spectra concerning H2O, NO2, HNO3, and O3 have been recorded during the LIMS (Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere) lifetime: (1) Mixing ratio profiles are deduced from a balloon experiment at 40 km on April 24, 1979, at 31 ¿N. (2) Latitudinal variations of the column densities are deduced from a aircraft, near 11.5 km, during a set of seven flights in October- November 1978 over a wide range of latitude. For HH2O the vertical profile deduced from balloon observations exhibits an increasing mixing ratio from (3.5¿0.5) ppm at 23 km to (6.5¿1.5) ppm to 40 km. The strong latitudinal variation in the toal column of NHO3 is clearly observed in the aircraft results, while the balloon profile at 31 ¿N exhibits a maximum value (9¿2) ppbv located near 22 km. The NO2 vertical column density is maximum at high latitude in the spring hemisphere. The O2 mixing ratio profile observed at sunset is maximum around 33 km (8¿1) ppbv.