ISRO Achieve Milestone with North India’s First Weather Balloon Launch
ISRO Achieve Milestone with North India’s First Weather Balloon Launch**
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) marked a significant milestone on Thursday with the launch of North India’s first weather balloon, a collaborative initiative with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This groundbreaking project, undertaken by the university’s geography department, aims to enhance weather forecasting capabilities in the region.
#AMU launches GPS-Aided Radiosonde Weather Balloon for Climate Data Measurement @isro
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The weather balloon, which ascended from the department’s rooftop, will operate at an altitude of 35 kilometers, providing weather data within a 100-kilometer radius. Impressively, by 5 PM on the day of the launch, the balloon had already reached an altitude of 32 kilometers and commenced data transmission.
AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Naima Khatun celebrated the achievement, highlighting its significance for the university and the broader scientific community. “This is a major accomplishment for AMU,” she stated.
The initiative is particularly valuable for the Delhi NCR region, known for its challenging winter fog conditions and heightened air pollution during Diwali. The weather balloon’s sensors will operate without interference from air traffic, a notable advantage given the relatively low flight activity in Aligarh compared to Delhi.
ISRO’s choice of AMU for this project followed a strategic agreement and the provision of essential equipment six months prior, including sensors, antennas, helium gas cylinders, receivers, and supercomputers.
Prof. Atiq Ahmed from the Geography Department reported that the balloon was successfully launched at 3 PM on Thursday. Initially measuring two to three meters in diameter, the balloon is expected to expand to 10 meters as it ascends. Air traffic control allotted a two to three-hour window for the launch.
Equipped with GPS, a radiosonde, humidity meter, thermometer, and wind speed meter, the balloon will transmit data to a receiver on the department’s roof. The radiosonde will provide GPS position, while other sensors will relay information on temperature, air pressure, and humidity.
The transmitted data will be processed and displayed on computer screens, providing real-time weather updates that are crucial for forecasting and research.
This pioneering effort by AMU and ISRO sets a new standard in meteorological studies and underscores the importance of innovative collaborations in advancing scientific knowledge and practical applications.
