- Strato is the first multirotor drone capable of collecting atmospheric data in the stratosphere.
- The drone can withstand sustained winds of up to 80 mph.
- Strato can collect data at a designated location and return to its launch point.
- Collected data will support the high-resolution weather forecasting models US1k and Euro1k.
Swiss weather technology company Meteomatics has unveiled a multirotor drone called Strato, which the company says reached an altitude of 34,245 feet (approximately 10,438 meters), enabling it to collect atmospheric data at heights typically monitored by weather balloons. The aircraft is designed to measure temperature, humidity, pressure and wind speed as it ascends through different atmospheric layers. Meteomatics claims Strato is the first multirotor drone capable of gathering atmospheric profile data from near the surface to the stratosphere.
Strato's design features
The drone can withstand sustained winds of up to 80 mph and uses an active de-icing system to prevent ice buildup on its propellers. These features are intended to allow it to operate in the cold, windy conditions encountered at high altitude.
Unlike traditional weather balloons, which drift with the wind and are typically not recovered for reuse, Strato can fly to a designated location, collect measurements, and then return to its launch point. The company says this allows operators to gather weather data at the time and place they need it. Flying in extreme conditions, Strato uses an aerodynamic design and active wind control system to orient itself against strong headwinds. The system is designed to maintain flight stability while collecting data at different altitudes. Its integrated de-icing system automatically heats the propellers when icing conditions are detected.
In addition, the aircraft features a waterproof design to support operations in wet conditions such as rain.
Throughout the flight, Strato transmits telemetry data to operators in real time, including altitude, wind conditions, temperature and icing alerts, allowing operators to monitor the aircraft and atmospheric conditions during ascent and descent. The company has not disclosed Strato's battery capacity, flight duration, payload weight, or the conditions under which it reached the reported maximum altitude, nor has it provided independent verification of its claimed altitude record. Meteomatics CEO Dr. Martin Fengler said: "Ten years ago, a drone capable of effectively flying into the stratosphere to collect weather data was just a dream.
Today, we have made it a reality."
Addressing weather observation gaps
Radiosondes carried by weather balloons remain the primary method for measuring upper-air conditions above the Earth's surface. These instruments record atmospheric conditions as the balloon rises, but launches typically follow a fixed schedule, leaving gaps in observations, especially in the upper troposphere, where fast-moving jet streams influence weather systems and aviation operations. Strato is designed to fill these gaps by collecting data at selected locations and times. These observations could help airlines assess flight conditions and assist space launch operators in evaluating weather during launch preparations.
Meteomatics says the collected data will also support its high-resolution weather forecasting models US1k and Euro1k, which are designed to provide localized forecasts using atmospheric measurements and other weather information.
Strato joins the company's existing Meteodrone and Meteodrone Tropo aircraft, extending the altitude range of its drone observation system. The company has not released comparative data showing how Strato improves forecast accuracy over existing observation methods. Nevertheless, its reported 34,245-foot flight demonstrates the altitude capability Meteomatics is pursuing for reusable atmospheric measurement systems.
Strato's impact on weather observation
The launch of Strato marks a significant advance for drones in weather observation. The limitations of traditional weather balloons have made it difficult to collect data at specific times and locations, while Strato can overcome these challenges, providing a more flexible means of data collection. This not only improves the accuracy of weather forecasting but also helps airlines and space launch operators better assess flight conditions, reducing delays caused by weather factors. As the effects of climate change become increasingly pronounced, the application of this new technology will have far-reaching implications for meteorology and the aviation industry.