Philofluid research group conducted cluster launch experiments with the POLITO radiosonde network during the Wessex Convection campaign (WESCON) 2023. The experiments were carried out around Chilbolton area, UK. Two cluster launches were performed on July 5 and 6, 2023 at the Chilbolton Observatory.

The experiments were organized in collaboration among researchers from Politecnico di Torino (Shahbozbek Abdunabiev, Niccolo Gallino’, Prof. Ladislau Matekovits, Prof. Daniela Tordella), UK Meteorological Office (Jeremy Price, Simon Osborne), Chilbolton Observatory Facility (Chris Walden, Emily Norton) and Università del Piemonte Orientale (Bianca Tenti).

Data transmission continued during the experiments for about 1.5 hour until the radioprobe reached almost ∼ 50 km in horizontal distance. The dispersed cluster of the radiosonde remained within the boundary layer during the flight (500 – 2000 meters). We received packets each 4–5 seconds on average from radiosondes.​ During these cluster launches, we used two ground stations: one was fixed at Chilbolton Observatory and the other was mobile and followed the cluster trajectory with a car. In this way, we aimed to reduce packet losses and enrich the dataset by possibly covering a larger length and time scale.​

1st cluster launch, July 5, 2023: https://youtube.com/shorts/8K1JIL48_hw

2nd cluster launch, July 6, 2023: https://youtube.com/shorts/i91cH55HiLc