It seems to me that technology has reached the point that hurricane
research could be supplemented by so called 'robotic airborne sensors',
you might say smart balloons. If you can track a bird flying across the
Atlantic that has a mini GPS receiver/transmitter then you should be
able to drop instruments into a hurricanes that will ride the storm
transmitting back vital data. Such devices may have already been built
and tried. Does anyone have any knowledge of such? What I am talking
about is something similar to a dropsonde that does not drop but instead
stays airborne. It would have to be a 'lighter than air instrument
package'.

said:
It seems to me that technology has reached the point that hurricane
research could be supplemented by so called 'robotic airborne sensors',
you might say smart balloons. If you can track a bird flying across the
Atlantic that has a mini GPS receiver/transmitter then you should be
able to drop instruments into a hurricanes that will ride the storm
transmitting back vital data. Such devices may have already been built
and tried. Does anyone have any knowledge of such? What I am talking
about is something similar to a dropsonde that does not drop but instead
stays airborne. It would have to be a 'lighter than air instrument
package'.

Wonderful idea, but what could a floating sensor do that
a good satellite shot could not?

--
Sanford M. Manley
I am a Marxist, a Groucho Marxist
My Homepage: http://www.ansaman.com
Angry Fetus Comics!! http://www.comics.ansaman.com

Sanford Manley wrote:

Wonderful idea, but what could a floating sensor do that
a good satellite shot could not?

Call me stupid but I should say: get more high-resolution data? Don't
drop 1 probe but develop a low-cost solution and drop 'em by the
thousands.. then again, this could just be a stupid - naive idea of me?

Richard

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 21:42:54 -0400,
Sanford Manley , in
wrote:
+ said:

+ and tried. Does anyone have any knowledge of such? What I am talking
+ about is something similar to a dropsonde that does not drop but instead
+ stays airborne. It would have to be a 'lighter than air instrument
+ package'.

Intriguing idea. As I recall, there have been balloons the rise to
certain altituted, and then ride the currents at that level.

+ Wonderful idea, but what could a floating sensor do that
+ a good satellite shot could not?

Actually be *in* the hurricane? sure, satellites are great and all,
but they're still 40K kilometers away.

James
--
Consulting Minister for Consultants, DNRC
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow
isn't looking good, either.
I am BOFH. Resistance is futile. Your network will be assimilated.

I R A Darth Aggie wrote:

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 21:42:54 -0400,
Sanford Manley , in
wrote:
+ said:

+ and tried. Does anyone have any knowledge of such? What I am talking
+ about is something similar to a dropsonde that does not drop but instead
+ stays airborne. It would have to be a 'lighter than air instrument
+ package'.

Intriguing idea. As I recall, there have been balloons the rise to
certain altituted, and then ride the currents at that level.

TWERLE.

Cheers,
Russell
--
There are lies, damned lies, and quotes from literary icons.

The opinions expressed are mine personally and do not
reflect any position of the U.S. Government or NOAA.