Table of Contents
Weather balloons, which are made of latex or synthetic rubber (neoprene), are filled with either hydrogen or helium. An instrument called a
Frequently Asked Questions about the NWS Radiosonde Observations
is attached to the balloon to measure pressure, temperature and relative humidity as it ascends up into the atmosphere.
How long does it take for a weather balloon to pop?
How high can weather balloons go before it pops? On average weather balloons will ascend for about 90 minutes before bursting.
Can a weather balloon pick up a person?
Regulations say flights can carry up to 12 lbs total payload weight, not including the weight of the balloon. However, the weight needs to be divided into separate payload packages that can’t be more than 6 pounds each.
How are weather balloons controlled?
The ascent rate can be controlled by the amount of gas with which the balloon is filled. Weather balloons may reach altitudes of 40 km (25 mi) or more, limited by diminishing pressures causing the balloon to expand to such a degree (typically by a 100:1 factor) that it disintegrates.
Is it legal to send a weather balloon into space?
Yes, but only if you take the necessary precautions. Never launch a weather balloon in an area with congested air space and always coordinate your launch with the appropriate authorities. In the US that may include filing a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).
What happens to a weather balloon at the end of its flight?
A typical weather balloon can last over two hours as it rises into the sky. But what happens when the balloons reach our upper atmosphere? It expands and explodes because of the lower air pressure at higher altitudes. The time between each frame is 0.02 seconds.
How does a weather balloon rise?
As a weather balloon rises into high altitudes, where air pressure decreases, the helium or hydrogen pressure inside the balloon increases and expands the balloon. This way the balloon and the radiosonde can rise at a consistent pace high into the atmosphere.
Where does a weather balloon go?
In two hours, a weather balloon can rise above the clouds, higher than the paths of jet planes, passing through the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Reaching altitudes of 35 km (22 miles) or higher, the balloons endure temperatures as cold as -90° C (-130° F).
What happens to balloons that fly into the sky?
One is that atmospheric pressure is dramatically reduced at high altitudes, so a helium balloon expands as it rises and eventually explodes. If you inflate a balloon beyond its limits at room temperature, it will break into small pieces up to about ten centimetres long.
How many balloon does it take to lift a person?
If you weigh 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds), then you weigh 50,000 grams. Divide your 50,000 grams by the 14 grams per balloon and you find that you need 3,571.42 balloons to lift your weight. You might want to add 500 more if you actually would like to rise at a reasonable rate.
What is the highest a weather balloon can go?
While no one can ever guarantee a weather balloon will soar to a specific height, the balloons typically reach between 60,000 and 105,000 feet. However, the highest recorded weather balloon flight on record was launched in 2002 and soared to an incredible height of 173,000 feet.
How far can a weather balloon travel?
Weather balloons can rise to an altitude of 24 miles (39 kilometers) or more before they burst, and a payload may land (via parachute) up to 75 miles (120 km) away, depending on wind conditions at the launch site, Maydell said.
Do weather balloons move?
They are designed to. After they are launched, they can drift up to 120 miles downwind and up to 100,000 ft. (about 20 miles) into the atmosphere. This week over northern Georgia, winds were relatively light in the upper level of the atmosphere so the balloon did not travel very far.
How do you track weather balloons?
When it comes to tracking a weather balloon, the three most common options are a satellite tracker, an APRS tracker, or a cell phone. Each option has its benefits and limitations. A cellphone tracker is illegal and should never be used.
How expensive is a weather balloon?
This will vary based on your needs, so we will want to discuss that before we give you an estimate for the entire project. After your initial investment in a StratoStar High-Altitude Weather Balloon Curriculum, the average cost of high-altitude weather balloon equipment is $200-$400.
How much does a space balloon cost?
Florida-based company Space Perspective has started accepting seat reservations for its “Spaceship Neptune,” a balloon-borne pressurized capsule designed to carry eight passengers and one pilot to an altitude of 100,000 feet (30,000 meters). The price: $125,000 per seat.
How high can I fly a tethered balloon?
Tethered rides may rise to a maximum height of 70 feet. The pilot-in-command will determine additional height restrictions based on conditions at that time and length of tether lines. The number of passengers allowed in the balloon for any flight shall be determined by the pilot-in-command.
What makes a weather balloon pop?
As the balloon ascends, the pressure of its environment decreases, and the balloon begins to expand. This expansion continues until the material of the balloon is stretched to its breaking point, causing the balloon to burst. This typically occurs at stratospheric altitudes between 30 and 35 km.
How are radiosondes recovered?
France has experimented with a parachute-based system to recover its radiosondes. Switzerland recovers and re-uses more than 60 per cent of the devices that it launches. “The good thing about a radiosonde is most of the things that can be recycled from it.
Are radiosondes still used?
Radiosondes provide a primary source of upper-air data and will remain so into the foreseeable future.
Why does the balloon expand?
Air molecules collide into the balloon with the same energy inside and outside the balloon. These molecules now collide into the balloon with more energy resulting in increased pressure. The increased pressure causes the balloon to expand.
