WindBorne Atlas, our global sensing constellation, is delivering the critical observations that are closing the atmospheric data gap.

The Problem & Our Solution

Today’s weather observation infrastructure relies on a global network of radiosondes and ground-based stations—yet 85% of the atmosphere remains under-observed for weather forecasting. The gaps fall precisely where they hurt most: over oceans, polar regions, and in remote areas where key weather patterns form. Weather uncertainty driven by lack of data 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 from pole to pole. 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. GSBs weigh less than three pounds at launch and carry sensors calibrated to collect vital atmospheric data from ground level into the stratosphere. 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.