Study of Atmospheric Variables using Low-Cost Stratospheric Balloon-Borne Missions

A better understanding of atmospheric dynamics and improvement of regional weather and climate models require accurate measurement and analysis of atmospheric variables such as temperature, pressure, and wind velocity across altitudes. In this study, we present such results from a series of high-altitude balloon missions conducted by the Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP). These missions, in which balloons reach up to altitudes of ~42 km, provide high-resolution vertical profiles of atmospheric parameters over the Indian subcontinent, a region where such data are sparse. We analyze the payload's vertical ascent rates, horizontal displacements, and variations in some atmospheric parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and wind velocity with altitude. Wind velocity components—zonal (east-west) and meridional (north-south)—are also examined, with particular emphasis on their seasonal variability due to subtropical jet streams during pre- and post-monsoon periods. Our analysis reveals significant seasonal variation in wind patterns at stratospheric heights. We obtain clear indications that the atypical wind behaviors observed in 2019 may be linked to anomalies in monsoonal rainfall patterns. These results contribute valuable insights into upper atmospheric dynamics over the Indian region and also highlight the importance of balloon-borne observations in refining regional atmospheric models.