Miniature Meteorological Balloonsonde.
Abstract
The purpose of this program was to demonstrate that it is possible to build a light-weight miniature meteorological sonde (minisonde) which can be borne aloft by a 30-gram latex balloon. During this program, 85-gram minisondes were built and successfully launched with 30-gram balloons. The program was broken down into two parts- the assembly of five minisondes and the launching/data reduction for these minisondes. The construction of a small, light-weight minisonde requires that new miniature sensors and high-efficiency electronics be used. For temperature measurements, the standard rod thermistor was selected. For humidity measurement, the conventional VIZ carbon hygristor was used. For pressure measurement, a Honeywell silicon diaphragm barometer was used. To commutate between the temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors and encode the meteorological data measurements, a set of meteorological electronics was developed using commerically available integrated circuits. A special light-weight telemetry transmitter providing an output of 1/2 watt at 400 to 406 megahertz was designed and constructed. Power for the transmitter and minisonde electronics was provided by a small flat disc battery using lithium electrochemical technology. Three minisondes were launched using 30-gram latex balloons and rose to an altitude of greater than 15,000 feet at a rise rate of approximately 600 feet per minute. During the flight, temperature, pressure, and humidity data were successfully telemetered back to an FM receiver located on the ground. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA043300
Entities
People
- C. Motchenbacher
Organizations
- Honeywell International, Inc.