Like a samara leaf
DS20
Inspired by the natural autorotation mechanisms observed in samaras—those winged seeds capable of slowing their descent by spinning—the design of this radiosonde is based on an innovative biomimetic approach.
By incorporating specially designed fins, the probe harnesses this aerodynamic principle to stabilize and slow its descent without using a parachute. This design allows the radiosonde to achieve a fall speed of less than 10 m/s while maintaining a natural rotation.
This rotation promotes effective ventilation of the sensors, thereby ensuring the quality and accuracy of atmospheric measurements throughout the descent.
A redesigned M20 for descent measurement.
With its 27 grams, the DS20 is designed for high-precision atmospheric measurements during the descent phase. Its PTU sensor performs 4 acquisitions per second, guaranteeing excellent data resolution, even at high vertical speeds after release from the aircraft.
A direct evolution of the M20, the DS20 benefits from all Meteomodem's know-how, combining compactness, robustness and reliability for the most demanding sounding campaigns. It took several years of development to design the DS20, a device that is easy to deploy, cost-effective and offers a high availability rate, even when dropped in cyclonic conditions.
Combined with the SR20, it is also possible to drop several DS20s in bursts, enabling atmospheric profiles to be obtained over long distances.
Main features
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Humidity and temperature sensors optimized to deliver high-quality measurements during the descent phase
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Multi-radiosonde reception capability, allowing up to 4 DS20 radiosondes to be launched and tracked simultaneously
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External ON/OFF power switch with release authorization status clearly indicated on the radiosonde LED
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Fully automatic preparation process, including frequency setting and verification of the sensors
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Biomimetic fin design inspired by samara seeds, slowing the descent without a parachute while naturally rotating the radiosonde to ventilate the sensors and maintain measurement accuracy
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The DS20 is one of the lightest and most eco-conscious radiosonde solutions on the market, offering a greener alternative to conventional systems
A descent governed by the laws of physics.
The development of this new dropsonde required significant research and development, particularly regarding the design of the fins that stabilize and slow the descent. Numerous design iterations were evaluated to optimize aerodynamic performance, descent speed, and airflow to the sensors. Meteomodem conducted a series of field tests, including drops from drones, balloons, and aircraft, to validate the probe’s behavior in diverse environments representative of operational use. These test campaigns allowed for the refinement of the fin profile and ensured reliable performance, even under complex atmospheric conditions.
4 simultaneous soundings
The system allows for the simultaneous tracking of up to four dropsondes from the aircraft, thereby providing enhanced observational capabilities during missions. This multi-sonde data acquisition is particularly valuable in dropsonde operations, where measurement density plays a key role in understanding atmospheric phenomena. In complex environments such as typhoons or other cyclonic systems, having multiple profiles in parallel significantly improves the spatial resolution of the data and refines the analysis of the structures and dynamics at play.
