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SOUNDING ROCKETS – The Inception of the Indian Space Programme

 

The breakthrough in the scope for aeronomy and atmospheric sciences in India started with the launch of the first sounding rocket (imported from Russia ‘M-100’ and France ‘Centaure’) from Thumba a place near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It was launched in Thumba Equitorial Rocket Launching Stations (TERLS) which is located close to the magnetic equator on 21 November 1963, embarking the Indian space programme.

What are sounding rockets?

  •      Sounding rockets ( research rocket) are used to take measurements and do scientific experiments in sub orbital region.
  •      This rocket can travel an altitude of 48 km ( weather balloon) to 145 km(minimum altitude of satellite).
  •      This rocket  payload is very less compared to other rockets,  it carry instruments for measurements and experiments.

ROHINI – The series of sounding rockets:

  •         Rohini is a series of sounding rockets developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  from the year of 1975.
  •         These rockets in the series are named by the letter ‘RH’ for ROHINI with a number representing the diameter (in mm) of the rockets.
  •         RH-75, with a diameter of 75mm was the first truly Indian sounding rocket, which was followed by RH-100 and RH-125 rockets. 
  •         Many national and international missions have been conducted using the Rohini series of sound rockets

      The current versions of Rohini as operational sounding rockets:

      Picture credits: https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/sounding-rockets

Components and design:

  •         The vital elements of a sounding rocket are solid fuel rocket motor and a payload.
  •         Higher altitude rockets have 2 to 3 stages to increase the efficiency and the payload capability.
  •         The average flight time is between 20-30 minutes.
  •         The fuel is consumed during the first stage, which then separates and fall away leading the payload to complete the arc and return to the ground under a parachute.

Applications:

  •         Weather observations are done with rocketsondes which consists of a rocket and radiosonde to measure various atmospheric parameters like temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, air density during the flight.
  •         To carry out research of the upper atmosphere, aeronomy.
  •         Sound rockets are used in remote sensing to get the view of geographical area under observation.
  •         It is used for both military and civil purposes.
  •         It is also used in the micro gravity research.

Advantages:

  •         Cost – effective, short lead time.
  •         Sounding rockets can be used in places inaccessible to either balloons and satellites.
  •         The small size is an advantage for the field studies in remote locations and even in the middle of the ocean if fired from a ship.
  •         Several sounding rockets can be launched in a single day and it doesn’t require large launching sites.

References:

  • https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/sounding-rockets
  • https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/isro-launches-sounding-rocket-rh-560-to-study-attitudinal-variations/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounding_rocket


 


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