Wikipedia
A dropsonde is an expendable weather reconnaissance device created by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), designed to be dropped from an aircraft at altitude to more accurately measure (and therefore track) tropical storm conditions as the device falls to the surface. The sonde contains a GPS receiver, along with pressure, temperature, and humidity (PTH) sensors to capture atmospheric profiles and thermodynamic data. It typically relays these data to a computer in the aircraft by radio transmission.
The device's descent is slowed and stabilized by a small square-cone parachute, allowing for multiple readings to be taken before it reaches the ocean surface. The sonde is a lightweight system designed to be operated by one person and is launched through a chute installed in the measuring aircraft, with immediate deployment of the parachute to reduce or eliminate any pendulum effect, and typically drops from three to five minutes. The sonde has a casing of stiff cardboard. During a typical hurricane season, the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters deploys 1000 to 1500 sondes on training and storm missions.
Dropsonde is an ambient album by musician Biosphere (alias Geir Jenssen). Unlike his previous output, there is a notable jazz influence present on this album.
Usage examples of "dropsonde".
The dropsonde is a small metal cylinder sixteen inches long and three inches wide containing a microprocessor, a radio transmitter and a small drogue parachute.
Crease listened to the entire lecture Honeycutt gave about the dropsonde and paid absolutely no attention.
Toto and the dropsonde hung suspended in the air for a split second, and then both fell through the hatch and disappeared into the hurricane.
This space, intended to contain a few comfortable lounge chairs and perhaps a wet bar, was stuffed with meteorological equipment: dropsonde console, anemometer, barometer, gradient thermometer, three separate radar screens, and real-time satellite monitoring gear.