ELHYSA: balloon-borne experiments, atmospheric water vapor measurements, flight of 11 March 2004

ELHYSA is a frost point hygrometer built by the LMD (Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique) which has been operating since 1987 taking in situ measurements of the water vapour content of the Earths atmosphere. There are three versions: one model carried by open stratospheric balloons (BSO), a second for infrared Montgolfier balloons (MIR) and a model embarked by planes. This instrument acquires real-time water vapour profiles from the upper troposphere and the lower stratosphere. ELHYSA has contributed to the validation campaigns for both ENVISAT and BALODIN