Abstract: A balloon-launching apparatus includes a plurality of housing sections each formed in a box shape having an opening that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon. The housing section launches the balloon from the opening, and the plurality of housing sections is arranged in a matrix shape.

Abstract: A canister for housing a balloon and a radiosonde to be released into the atmosphere includes a case, a balloon detaching mechanism, and a gas passage. The case includes first to third housing chambers arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The first to third housing chambers are in communication with one another in an upper part of the case. The balloon detaching mechanism is connected to the balloon and is configured to detach the balloon when the balloon is released. The gas passage introduces a gas into the balloon to inflate the balloon. The balloon detaching mechanism and the gas passage are housed in the second housing chamber disposed between the first housing chamber and the third housing chamber. The first housing chamber houses the radiosonde connected to the balloon via a rope. The third housing chamber houses part of the balloon connected to the balloon detaching mechanism.

Abstract: A canister for housing a balloon and a radiosonde to be released into the atmosphere includes a case, a balloon detaching mechanism, and a gas passage. The case includes first to third housing chambers arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The first to third housing chambers are in communication with one another in an upper part of the case. The balloon detaching mechanism is connected to the balloon and is configured to detach the balloon when the balloon is released. The gas passage introduces a gas into the balloon to inflate the balloon. The balloon detaching mechanism and the gas passage are housed in the second housing chamber disposed between the first housing chamber and the third housing chamber. The first housing chamber houses the radiosonde connected to the balloon via a rope. The third housing chamber houses part of the balloon connected to the balloon detaching mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a balloon-launching apparatus capable of reducing an increase in the size of the apparatus when a large number of housing sections for housing observation balloons are provided. A balloon-launching apparatus 1 includes a plurality of housing sections 41 each formed in a box shape having an opening 321 that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon 21, the housing section 41 launching the balloon 21 from the opening 321. The plurality of housing sections 41 are arranged in a matrix shape. Due to the matrix arrangement of the housing sections 41, the balloon-launching apparatus 1 can reduce the creation of dead space even when a large number of the housing sections 41 are disposed and can thus reduce an increase in the size of the balloon-launching apparatus 1.

Abstract: The present invention can be made more lightweight even if a dry cell is used as a power source battery, can supply a necessary voltage at a battery capacity corresponding to an observation time, and can generate a predetermined electromotive force even in extremely low-temperature environments, This radiosonde power source device supplies driving electrical power to an apparatus tor processing and transmitting observation information resulting from, observing meteorological phenomena of the upper atmosphere, and has; a dry cell such as a lithium battery having a rated voltage lower than the driving voltage of the apparatus; and one or more step-up power source circuits that step-up the voltage of the dry cell to a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A tube handling device of a type in which a plurality of tubes are hung by inserting claws in opposite end portion of the tubes, including a telescopically movable beam supporting at opposite ends thereof a plurality of claw members for movement in a direction perpendicular to the length of the beam, and sensor members for sensing the vertical distance between the tubes and the tube handling device and the horizontal distance between the claw members and the end edges of the tubes.