The web front-end of the database provides tools for (meta)data search, as well as for upload and download of primary data. Data are searchable mainly in terms of missions (projects) or data sources (instruments, models). Alternatively, a powerful and intuitive search tool „Data Detective“ can be used. Database users may sign up for daily e-mail notifications on changes to datasets of the missions they are associated with.
Currently supported data formats within HALO-DB are: GTE, NASA Ames, NetCDF.
Initial development of the database was done by the University of Leipzig, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of the priority program SPP 1294. The database is now maintained by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen.