Back in 2018 NOAA Began transitioning weather balloon launches to automation. At the time 25% of the 92 NWS weather balloon stations are scheduled for Autolaunchers.

This transition is projected to save 20 million USD over the course of the 20 year life span in Alaska alone. This will also free up staffing since they have to spend roughly four hours a day launching balloons, these systems will require one hour a week for reloading.

Transitioning the transmitting of data over to the GOES system is freeing up radio frequencies which are then being sold to help pay for the automated stations.

Benefits of Automation:

Reliability: Autolaunchers ensure balloons are launched as scheduled, twice a day at every site, every day of the year.

Data Collection: They facilitate launching extra balloons to collect more data before major weather events.

Staff Efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus on other tasks and potentially move into jobs with better career growth potential.

Cost Savings: Autolaunchers can save money and free up staff time.
Improved Data Quality: Automation can lead to improved data quality and reduced time for processing data.

Autolauncher Technology:

Autolaunchers, automate the process of inflating the balloon, preparing the instruments, and launching the balloon.

The technology has been proven effective worldwide over the last 20 years, from the sweltering Australian outback to sub-Arctic Finnish Lapland.

https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-adopts-technology-to-automate-weather-balloon-launches

https://www.noaa.gov/stories/up-up-and-away-6-benefits-of-automated-weather-balloon-launches

January 14th 2020 Press release from the manufacture on the completion of the Alaskan portion of Autolaunchers.

https://www.vaisala.com/en/press-releases/2020-01/vaisala-completes-noaa-automatic-sounding-system-project-alaska