radiosondoista

Radiosondoista (also spelled radiosondista or radiósondista) is a meteorological technician who operates radiosonde equipment to obtain atmospheric soundings. The radiosonde is a weather balloon-borne instrument package that measures parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind, transmitting data back to ground stations.

Duties of a radiosondoista include preparing and testing the equipment, calibrating sensors, inflating and releasing balloons, and monitoring the transmitted data during ascent. They ensure data quality and safety, coordinate launches with meteorological stations and aviation authorities, and track the balloon with ground receivers, decoding telemetry for input into official weather data systems. The typical mission lasts a couple of hours, concluding when the balloon bursts at high altitude.

The data collected provide vertical profiles of the atmosphere, essential for numerical weather prediction, climate research, and aviation forecasting. Radiosonde observations complement satellite data and contribute to global upper-air observing networks coordinated by international bodies such as the World Meteorological Organization.

Employment and training vary by country but commonly include positions within national meteorological services, research institutes, universities, and some airports. Training programs cover meteorology basics, sensor calibration and quality control, radio communications and telemetry, equipment maintenance, and safety procedures, with emphasis on coordinating launches within national and international aviation regulations.