Sounding rockets

 

Introduction

 

ISRO started launching sounding rockets from 1965. In 1975, all sounding rocket activities were consolidated under the Rohini Sounding Rocket (RSR) Program in 1975. RH-75, with a diameter of 75mm was the first Indian sounding rocket, which was followed by RH-100 and RH-125 rockets. The sounding rocket program was the base for which the edifice of launch vehicle technology in ISRO could be built. It is possible to conduct coordinated campaigns by launching several sounding rockets from different locations. It is also possible to launch several sounding rockets in a single day.

 

 

About sounding rockets

Sounding rockets are commonly used for Research in aeronomy

The first sounding rocket which was launched in Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963, was the beginning of the Indian Space Programme.

The Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) was established in 1963 at Thumba, which was close to the magnetic equator

Rocket-borne instrumentation in Sounding rockets made it possible to probe the atmosphere in situation of need. The first rockets were two-stage rockets which was imported from Russia (M-100) and France (Centaure). While the M-100 could carry a payload of 70 kg to an altitude of 85 km, the Centaure was able to carry a payload of 30kg to an altitude of 150 km

 

 

Applications of sounding rockets

v Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research.

 

v They also serve as easily affordable platforms to test or prove prototypes of new components or subsystems intended for use in launch vehicles and satellites.

 

v Sounding rockets are used for Research in aeronomy (The study of the upper atmosphere) which requires this tool for in situ measurements to be in upper atmosphere.

 

v Ultraviolet and X-ray astronomy, which require being above the bulk of the Earth's atmosphere.

 

 

 

Operational sounding Rockets

 

Currently, three versions are offered as operational sounding rockets

vehicle:  RH-200  

payload (in kg): 10    

Altitude (in km): 80   

Purpose:    Meterology       

launch pad: Thumba Bala sore   

 

vehicle: RH-300-MK-II

Payload (in kg): 60

Altitude (in km): 160

Purpose: Aeronomy

Launch pad: SDSC-SHAR

 

vehicle: RH-560-MK-II

Payload (in kg):100

Altitude (in km):470

Purpose: Aeronomy

Launch pad: SDSC-SHAR

 

 

Courtesy:

https://www.isro.gov.in/