Sounding Rocket Launched for Middle Atmospheric Studies

A Rohini Sounding Rocket, RH-200, was launched last evening (November 21, 2002) from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram, marking the commencement of a new series of rocket launches as part of the Middle Atmospheric Dynamics Science (MIDAS) Research programme. It was exactly 39 years ago on this day that the first sounding rocket had been launched from TERLS, heralding the modern space era in India.

The MIDAS programme, which was inaugurated by Mr G Madhavan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center with the first rocket launch yesterday, consists of an elaborate observational programme of regular measurements of atmospheric temperatures and winds using balloons, ground-based Radars and Laser instruments in addition to the fortnightly launches of RH-200 rockets for high altitude wind measurements. During the next five years, the programme will study different aspects of middle atmospheric dynamics including the wave activity, stratospheric response to stratwarm events in the mutual coupling between the break-monsoon phenomenon and the Middle Atmospheric Dynamics. The results from this programme have the potential of unravelling the different aspects of Indian monsoon and weather.

It may be noted that ISRO has developed a series of Sounding Rockets, RH-200, RH-300 and RH-560, which are regularly used for various scientific experiments. The launch of RH-200, yesterday as part of MIDAS launch programme, is yet another important contribution from Sounding Rockets.