  We present a model for atmospheric absorption of solar ultraviolet (UV)
radiation. The initial motivation for this work is to predict this effect and
correct it in Sounding Rocket (SR) experiments. In particular, the Full-sun
Ultraviolet Rocket Spectrograph (FURST) is anticipated to launch in mid-2023.
FURST has the potential to observe UV absorption while imaging solar spectra
between 120-181 nm, at a resolution of R > 2x10$^4$ ($\Delta$ V < $\pm$ 15
km/s), and at altitudes of between 110-255 km. This model uses estimates for
density and temperature, as well as laboratory measurements of the absorption
cross-section, to predict the UV absorption of solar radiation at high
altitudes. Refraction correction is discussed and partially implemented but is
negligible for the results presented. Absorption by molecular Oxygen is the
primary driver within the UV spectral range of our interest. The model is built
with a wide range of applications in mind. The primary result is a method for
inversion of the absorption cross-section from images obtained during an
instrument flight, even if atmospheric observations were not initially
intended. The potential to obtain measurements of atmospheric properties is an
exciting prospect, especially since sounding rockets are the only method
currently available for probing this altitude in situ. Simulation of noisy
spectral images along the FURST flight profile is performed using data from the
High-Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) SR and the FISM2 model for
comparison. Analysis of these simulated signals allows us to capture the
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of FURST and the capability to measure atmospheric
absorption properties as a function of altitude. Based on the prevalence of
distinct spectral features, our calculations demonstrate that atmospheric
absorption may be used to perform wavelength calibration from in-flight data.
