Automated Sonde Launching System

Upper atmospheric measurements of temperature, humidity and winds are required daily at hundreds of locations around the world. These critical measurements are primarily made by radiosondes carried aloft by balloons filled with helium and tracked by ground stations. Currently, the process of radiosonde setup and launch is performed manually by trained human operators, and no mechanism exists to auto-calibrate radiosondes just prior to launch. Typically, NWS radiosonde preparation facilities are ¿High Bay¿ inflation buildings approximately 6.7 meters (22 ft) high with a 4.3 meter (14 ft) length. While there is a commercially available automated radiosonde launch system (manufactured outside the U.S.) at $400,000, this system is impractical for most programs, due to cost and size, and because it¿s only compatible with the vendor¿s proprietary radiosondes. We propose to produce two automated radiosonde launchers. The mobile version would have dimensions approximately 2.5 meters (8 ft) long, 2.0 meters (6.5 ft) wide, and 2.6 meters (8 ft) high and could be mounted on a trailer for mobility. The portable version would be small and light enough for two people to easily handle and transport in a small truck or SUV.