DriftsondeDriftsondeExperiences during T-AMMAExperiences during T-AMMA

Stratospheric balloons to study African monsoonStratospheric balloons to study African monsoon and and

formation of cyclonesformation of cyclones

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

Centre National d’Etudes SpatialesCentre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) (CNES) [French National Center for Space Studies][French National Center for Space Studies]

Driftsonde TeamDriftsonde TeamTerry Hock, Dave Parsons, Jack Fox, Hal Cole, Joe VanAndel, Terry Hock, Dave Parsons, Jack Fox, Hal Cole, Joe VanAndel,

Keith Romberg, Chip Owens, Dean Lauritsen, Charlie MartinKeith Romberg, Chip Owens, Dean Lauritsen, Charlie MartinNov. 13, 2006 OFAPNov. 13, 2006 OFAP

ATLANTIC OCEAN

~58,000 ft50 - 100 mb

Zero-pressureor

Super PressureBalloon

Gondola(20 to 50 sonde capacity)

SondesCommanded for Release

NORTHAMERICA

EUROPE

IRIDIUMLEO Satellite

Cost-effective dropsonde observations of wind, temperature, and humidity to fill critical gaps in coverage over oceanic and remote artic and continental regions over days to weeks.

Driftsonde Concept

• Support of the THORPEX International Science and Implementation Plans for demonstration tests of new technologies for the delivery of in-situ sensing • The tests were supported by CNES for the ballooning (French Space Agency)• Support within the US by NCAR and NOAA/THORPEX for the driftsonde gondola and new dropsondes• 8 Balloon flights• 24 to 40 Miniture Dropsondes per balloon flight• Launch Location Zinder, Niger• Flight Operations Center Paris and Boulder• Engineering team effort between CNES & NCAR• Flights 10+ days• CNES Developed Super Pressure Balloon and Flight Control System• NCAR Developed Driftsonde Gondola System, Miniture Dropsonde and Ground Sounding Software

AMMA Driftsonde Project Goals & Highlights

French/CNES Ballooning Group• Developing a 12 meter super- pressure Balloon specifically for Driftsonde.• Provided 10 balloons• CNES gondola for communications, tracking, safety and recovery system, transponder• Prepared launch facility logistics & provided staff at Zinder, Niger • Control & operations center in Paris • Coordinated with Air Traffic Control

NCAR/EOL Driftsonde Group• Provided 8 Driftsonde gondolas,

• Satellite Communications• Sounding system• GPS tracking info

• 270 MIST Sondes• Ground support crew in Zinder, Niger• NCAR staff at at the CNES control and operations center in Paris.• Secondary Operations Center in Boulder• System control of sonde releases• Sonde data post processing

CNES-NCAR Team Collaboration Engineering & Science Integration

Scientific Flight Operations Center &

Flight Control

Paris, FranceFlight Control

Boulder, USA

Balloon Launch Facility

Zinder, Niger

T-AMMA Launch and Flight Operations LocationsT-AMMA Launch and Flight Operations Locations

Zinder Flight Operations

Final TestingFinal Testing

PayloadPayload

Sonde LoadingSonde Loading

Balloon InflationBalloon Inflation

Driftsonde Flight TrainDriftsonde Flight Train

ParachuteParachute

RadarRadar ReflectorReflector

AircraftAircraft Transponder/StrobeTransponder/Strobe LightLight

Driftsonde Driftsonde Gondola (21kg)Gondola (21kg)

Temperature SensorsTemperature Sensors

CNES 12 meter CNES 12 meter Super Pressure Super Pressure BalloonBalloon

Pressure- TemperaturePressure- TemperatureSensors & Gas Relief valveSensors & Gas Relief valve

CNESCNES Payload Payload

Total payload Total payload weight 42 kg weight 42 kg

~ 20 metersmeters

~ 12 metersmeters

Flight #1 Driftsonde LaunchFlight #1 Driftsonde LaunchAugust 28August 28thth 2006 2006

MIST Design Criteria & MotivationMIST Design Criteria & Motivation- Low cost (current aircraft dropsondes cost >$700)- Low cost (current aircraft dropsondes cost >$700)- Small (credit card size)- Small (credit card size)- Lightweight (- Lightweight (Gondola to carry 80 sondesGondola to carry 80 sondes))- Pressure derived from GPS & hydrostatic- Pressure derived from GPS & hydrostatic equation (using known launch pressure) equation (using known launch pressure)- Operate at -70º C (20km altitude)- Operate at -70º C (20km altitude)

MIST Sonde SpecificationMIST Sonde Specification • Size: 4.62 cm diameter, length 22.86 cm• Weight: 145 grams• Fall rate ~10 m/s at surface, cone parachute• Sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Winds & Position

- 50 mil Thermsitor- Humicap w/temperature sensor for substrate-16 channel GPS receiver

• Sensor sample rate 0.5 secs• Remote control Power On & Sonde Release

Miniature In-situ Sounding Technology (MIST Sonde developed at NCAR)

GPS ReceiverGPS Receiver(16 channel)(16 channel)

TemperatureTemperature SensorSensor(50 mill bead thermistor)(50 mill bead thermistor)

Humidity SensorHumidity Sensor(humicap w/substrate(humicap w/substrate temperature)temperature)

TransmitterTransmitter(400 MHz)(400 MHz)

GPS AntennaGPS Antenna

2 Microprocessors2 Microprocessors

Lithium BatteriesLithium Batteries

Iridium Satellite Transceiver

NCAR System ElectronicsNCAR System Electronics

MiniatureMiniatureDropsondeDropsonde

Lower Part of GondolaLower Part of Gondola

Gondola Electronics- sonde receiver systemGondola Electronics- sonde receiver system

Upper Part of GondolaUpper Part of Gondola

AMMA Driftsonde FlightsFlight

#Launch

DateTerminated Flight Duration

(Days)Notes

1 Aug 28 Sep 3 6.3 24 sondes

2 Aug 29 Aug 30 0.8 30 Sondes

(Electronic Failure)

3 Sep 1 Sep 9 7.9 40 sondes

4 Sep 4 Sep 11 7.0 37 Sondes

5 Sep 6 Sep 11 5.0 32 Sondes

6 Sep 9 Sep 19 10.0 32 Sondes

7 Sep 12 Sep 13 0.8 30 sondes (Balloon Failure)

8 Sep 15 Oct 4 18.8 33 Sondes

6 successful missions from the 8 Driftsondes launched

Driftsonde AMMA Sounding LocationsDriftsonde AMMA Sounding Locations

Driftsonde Predicted Flight Trajectories

Sonde release

Driftsonde dataDriftsonde 3 in the vicinity of tropical cyclone Florence

Tropical cyclone Florence

Sondes released from driftsonde #3

Deepening Moist Layer

African PBL

Disturbed Environment Near Florence

African Easterly Jet

Increasing Low-level Winds

Disturbed Environment Near Florence

Driftsonde dataDriftsonde 4 in the vicinity of tropical cyclone Gordon

Sondes released from driftsonde #4

Tropical cyclone Gordon0

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-100 -50 0 50 100Temperature and Rh

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TemperatureRH

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention