The results of calculations of the optimal conditions of outgoing thermal radiation measurement in the CO//2 absorption bands at 15 and 4. 3 mu m, used both separately and jointly, are presented. An analysis is made of the information content and accuracy of the indirect method of determining the vertical temperature profile, using different schemes for measuring the outgoing radiation. It is shown that the optimal measuring schemes recording the radiation both in the individual and combined bands make it possible to obtain information concerning the thermal structure of the atmosphere of higher accuracy than with existing satellite-borne instruments.