The dropsonde technique had been developed in the 1970s and dramatically advanced by the application of GPS orientation in the 1990s. The dropsonde system incorporates various sensor instruments, data system and software for telecommunications and data storage. The instrument package is usually carried into the atmosphere by a balloon, a rocket, or an aircraft, and dropped at high-altitude to retrieve meteorological profiling data. This paper reviews the development and applications of the dropsonde technique for atmospheric sounding. The description of several dropsondes, aloft platforms, and some applications is given. It is suggested that dropsonde technique launched from the unmanned air vehicle of long duration and upper altitude be develop.