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Instrument

Dropsonde
Dropsonde

A dropsondes or dropwindsondes are in situ instruments designed to be released from aircraft. They are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and sensors to collect profile measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction. Dropsondes are important during field investigations because they allow researchers to collect vertical profiles in remote locations and during severe weather events. Dropsondes typically have a vertical resolution of 5 m and provide measurements of wind speed/direction every 0.25 seconds and temperature, pressure, and humidity every 0.5 seconds.

Image of a dropsonde developed by NCAR
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Instrument Details

Multi
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles > Wind Velocity/speed Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles > Wind Direction Profiles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Full Column Profile
0.25 s, 0.5 s
5 m
N/A
Currently unavailble
Aeolus Cal/Val

NASA Aeolus Calibration/Validation Test Flight Campaign

2019
Eastern Pacific Ocean
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1 Deployment
· 4 Data Products
RADEX

Radar Definition Experiment (RADEX) for ACE Mission

2014—2015
Southeastern United States, North Carolina (NC); Olympic Peninsula, Washington (WA) State
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2 Deployments
· 30 Data Products
TRACE

Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry near the Equator

1992—2001
Brazil, Southern Africa, Tropical Atlantic, Central & Western Regions of the Pacific Ocean Basin
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2 Deployments
· 0 Data Products
Polar Winds

Polar Winds

2014—2015
Greenland, Denmark Strait
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2 Deployments
· 2 Data Products