Dictionary of Space Concepts

Short Definition:

Sounding rocket is a small, unmanned rocket that is meant to take measurements and perform scientific experiments on suborbital flights.

Detailed Definition:

A sounding rocket is a type of rocket that is used to carry scientific instruments to high altitudes for the purpose of collecting data. These rockets are typically smaller and less powerful than other types of rockets, and are launched vertically from a launchpad. The main advantage of sounding rockets is that they can reach altitudes of up to several hundred kilometers, allowing researchers to study the upper atmosphere and the effects of space on various materials and phenomena. Sounding rockets are often used for experiments in fields such as atmospheric science, astrophysics, and meteorology.

Etymology:

Sounding rockets take their name from the nautical term “to sound,” which means to take measurements. The term doesn't come from any latin or greek words.

Sample Sentence(s):

Next week, several sounding rockets will be launched from this site.

Translations:

French:

Fusée-sonde

German:

Höhenforschungsrakete 

Polish:

Rakieta suborbitalna, rakieta sądująca

Swedish:

Klingande raket

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weeEGY4SR38

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/f_sounding.html