Glidersonde, a Meteorological Optical Profiling Sensor

This sonde will have the following applications: -Meteorological measurements in local conditions too dangerous to enter with an aircraft Measurements of SO2, ash and temperatures (to the survival limit of the sonde) in Volcanos -Aerosol and radiation properties in areas affected by nuclear accidents, including the potential in this case for prolonged intermittent telemetry from the surface -Probing hurricanes with increased spatial resolution through critical domains (eye wall, etc) -Forest-fire response including PTU + Winds and surface radiation particularly measurements in complex, difficult to access terrain to capture smoke properties and surface temperatures -Targeted measurement of emission plumes from natural or anthropogenic sources

In addition to the above this sonde may also be used for balloon-lofted measurements where the Glidersonde's ability to return the payload to a specified landing will allow expensive measurement payloads to be recovered and reused. Yankee has built miniature balloon-borne dew-point hygrometers and has an interest in Ozone sondes, both needed for stratospheric measurement. These instruments are expensive and hence, rarely deployed. Reasonably-reliable recovery would greatly reduce the operating cost of more expensive on board sensors. More »