OTHER ACTIVITIES OF A DANGEROUS NATURE AND OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS

1.1 The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología operates seven radiosonde stations of the synoptic network of observation in altitude.

Each one of the following stations, belonging to the Regional Basic Synoptic Network of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regional Association VI, accomplishes the following daily radiosoundings, from 1115 to 1200, and from 2315 to 0000 UTC:

In these stations the radiosonde rig is composed of:

• A balloon weighing 350/500 g, filled with helium gas, with a diameter of approximately 1.40/1.50 m at the time of launching, reaching maximum altitudes of 24/29 km;

• A parachute of 1.10 m diameter and 60-75 g weight;

• A radiosonde with a GPS receiver to set the wind and a digital transmitter of a GFSK modulated signal in the 400.15-406 MHz band. It weighs approximately 113-150 g and its dimensions are 95 x 95 x 88.5 or 155 x 63 x 46 mm;

• The average rate of ascent of the whole unit is approximately 320 m/min. The full sounding operation takes 100 min.

At the Madrid/Barajas station, in addition to the thermodynamic sounding, an ozone sounding is performed every Wednesday from 1100 to 1145 UTC. In this case the radiosonde rig is composed of:

• A balloon weighing 1200 g, filled with helium gas, with a diameter of approximately 1.79 m at the time of launching, reaching a maximum altitude of 34 km;

• A parachute of 1.10 m diameter and 160-200 g estimated weight;

• A radiosonde with a GPS receiver to set the wind and a digital transmitter of a GFSK modulated signal in the 400.15-406 MHz band. It weighs approximately 113 g and its dimensions are 155 x 63 x 46 mm;

• An ozone sensor weighing 600 g, whose dimensions are 191 x 191 x 254 mm;

• The average rate of ascent of the whole unit is approximately 320 m/min. The sounding operation takes approximately 120 minutes to complete. Afterwards, the weather balloon falls, with the balloon popped, and it is slowed down by a parachute.

This station, belonging to the Regional Basic Synoptic Network of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Association I, accomplishes the following radiosoundings:

• Daily, from 1115 to 1200, and from 2315 to 0000 UTC.

The radiosonde rig is composed of:

• A balloon weighing 350/500 g, filled with helium gas, with a diameter of approximately 1.50 m at the time of launching, reaching maximum heights between 24-29 Km;

• A parachute of 1.10 m diameter and 60-75 g weight;

• A radiosonde with a GPS receiver to set the wind and a digital transmitter of a GFSK modulated signal in the 400.15-406 MHz band. It weighs approximately 113 g and its dimensions are up to 155 x 63 x 46 mm;

• The average rate of ascent of the whole unit is 320 m/min. The sounding operation takes approximately 90-120 minutes to complete. Afterwards, the weather balloon falls, with the balloon popped, and it is slowed down by a parachute.