Methodology, Deployment, and Performance of Pico Balloons in Antarctica

Abstract

Abstract During the 2022/23 Antarctic summer, eight pico balloon flights were deployed from Neumayer Station III (70.6666°S, 8.2667°W), yielding valuable insights into the Antarctic stratospheric wind structure. Pico balloons maintain a lower altitude compared to larger superpressure balloons, floating between 9 and 15 km MSL. The most impressive flight lasted an astounding 98 days, completing eight circumnavigations of the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout the flights, pico balloons encountered diverse air masses, displaying zonal velocities ranging from −50 to 250 km h−1 and meridional velocities between ±100 km h−1. Total wind speeds observed were extensive, spanning from 2.0 to 270 km h−1. A significant finding revealed that lower-flying pico balloons could rise due to convection underneath the flight paths, influenced by high convective available potential energy environments, resulting in changes to the balloons’ float density. Moreover, the flights demonstrated that pico balloons tended to drift farther south compared to larger stratospheric balloons, with some balloons reaching up to 8° south of the equator and 2° from the South Pole. This article explores the pressure-testing process and deployment techniques for pico balloons, showcasing their transformation from inexpensive party balloons (costing less than $20) into efficient superpressure balloons. The logistical demands for pico balloon flights were minimal, with a single person transporting all materials for the balloons (excluding lifting gas) to the Antarctic continent in carry-on luggage. The authors aim to promote the application of pico balloons to a wider scientific community by demonstrating their usefulness. Significance Statement Pico balloons are small party-sized balloons that are capable of floating at lower altitudes than traditional superpressure balloons. In Antarctica, where research is challenging due to harsh weather and limited resources, pico balloons present an affordable and easy-to-deploy alternative to traditional research methods. By studying the distinctive wind patterns at lower altitudes around Antarctica, pico balloons can provide valuable insights into this remote region. By demonstrating the potential use of pico balloons for scientific purposes, this study aims to offer the atmospheric community a new method of conducting research on a global scale.