Daily balloon launches

Every day at noon, scientists from the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium launch a meteorological balloon close to the Princess Elisabeth station. Lightweight instruments that measure temperature, pressure and humidity are tied to each helium-filled balloon. Once the balloon is released, the instruments transmit data in real time until the balloon reaches an altitude of 20 or 30 kilometres, where it explodes due to the thin air pressure.

Quentin Laffineur shows us the instrument that will measure temperature, pressure and humidity as it ascends into the atmosphere. It only weighs about 100 grammes.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
Data is transmitted in real time via a tiny antenna. Since meteorological data in Antarctica are scarce, all data they collect are shared amongst an international network of scientists.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
The balloon has to be kept clear of all obstacles to avoid punctures.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
The balloon is now ready to be launched. Next step: attach the instrument.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
The instrument is attached to a small cable underneath the balloon.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
You can clearly see the instrument sticking out. It's mind-blowing how much data can be collected by such a tiny device.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck
This balloon is a bit larger than others, and will go as high as 30 kilometres before it explodes. The higher the balloon goes, the more the helium expands with the drop in atmospheric pressure, until eventually the difference in pressure is too much for the balloon and it explodes.

© International Polar Foundation / Jos Van Hemelrijck

Daily balloon launches

Press Officer