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World’s largest balloon constellation

Atlas

Our global sensing constellation delivers the critical observations that are closing the atmospheric data gap.

Multiple WindBorne Global Sounding Balloons ascending through a blue sky

The atmospheric data gap

The problem and our solution

Weather regularly blows in from unpopulated areas—but these areas are critically under-observed. For example, when hurricanes form in the Atlantic, humanity can't measure them with radiosondes or other ground-based technologies that form the backbone of the weather network on land. The resulting weather uncertainty costs tens of billions every year in the U.S. alone and results in loss of life worldwide.

To close the atmospheric data gap worldwide, WindBorne operates and maintains Atlas—a global sensing network that comprises the largest balloon constellation in the world, continuously collecting in-situ atmospheric soundings. It operates pole to pole, including those remote areas where key weather systems form. Atlas is powered by autonomous, long-duration high-altitude balloons called Global Sounding Balloons (GSBs) that drastically improve upon legacy weather balloons in performance, endurance, sustainability, and cost. Atlas currently maintains hundreds of GSBs aloft globally.

At scale, Atlas will encompass the globe with 10,000 GSBs concurrently aloft—the coverage level cited by the World Meteorological Organization as adequate for weather forecasting.

View API docsAccess WindBorne Live

Persistent global coverage

Building a planetary nervous system

Atlas is the only balloon network capable of providing consistent, comprehensive atmospheric coverage worldwide.

16 active launch sites

  • Global launch network

    A launch network spanning six continents supports persistent worldwide coverage.

  • Vast data collection

    Atlas collects millions of kilometers of atmospheric observations every month.

  • Autonomous navigation

    Our flight system uses wind patterns to guide balloons toward high-value target regions, maximizing coverage where it matters most.

  • Rapid deployment

    WindBorne’s lean launch operations let a single operator launch multiple GSBs per day, so coverage scales fast.

From the surface to the stratosphere

WindBorne Live dashboard showing observations from a balloon over the northwest Pacific Ocean

Data as a service

Continuous profiles across remote regions

Coverage where you need it

Continuous global coverage, with the ability to surge coverage toward specific regions or weather events.

Delivered in near real-time

Observations are available within about 10 minutes of collection via API and WindBorne Live. Data is also shared with forecasters worldwide through the WMO Global Telecommunication System.

Trusted scientific standards

Distributed via the WMO GTS and assimilated into NOAA’s Global Forecast System. NOAA studies have confirmed that WindBorne observations improve forecast accuracy.

Forecast impact

Better inputs make better forecasts

Weather models depend on atmospheric observations. Augmenting current data collections can lead to significantly more accurate forecasts, and closing the atmospheric data gap can ensure a future in which weather certainty becomes a reality. WindBorne data is distributed globally through the WMO Global Telecommunication System and assimilated into NOAA’s Global Forecast System.

NOAA studies have shown that WindBorne observations improve the accuracy of physics-based forecast models.

Temperature and wind forecast map over North America with WindBorne balloon locations

How Atlas works

Built to stay aloft and keep collecting

Our proprietary balloon technology allows us to collect critical atmospheric data worldwide.

Payload weight
<1.3kgless than 2.8 lb
Real-time data
10minon average, from collection to user delivery
Typical flight
15+dayswith a record flight of 345 days

  • Precision altitude control

    Each flight collects dozens of vertical profiles from surface to stratosphere.

  • Advanced navigation

    Wind-aware routing guides balloons toward target locations.

  • Proven performance

    Demonstrated capability for multiple circumnavigations and global coverage.

  • Solar-powered sensors

    Each GSB measures temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind.

  • Satellite communications

    Observations transmitted in near real-time to our customers and forecasting systems worldwide.

  • Active Plane Avoidance

    Onboard ADS-B detects nearby aircraft, with avoidance that works even without a satellite link.

Expanding data collection

One platform. More ways to observe.

  1. Atlas can deploy lightweight atmospheric sensors into severe storms from balloons already in flight, multiplying data collection without additional launches. Unlike traditional aircraft-deployed dropsondes, this eliminates aircraft and pilot risk. WindBorne has successfully deployed sensors directly into hurricanes.

  2. GSBs feature the world’s first balloon-to-buoy capability. After completing atmospheric data collection, GSBs transition into buoys, detaching their envelopes in order to continue operating as ocean buoys and extending coverage across both atmospheric and marine domains.

Illustration of a balloon deploying a dropsonde into a hurricane above a coastline