Rocketsonde

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rockĀ·etĀ·sonde

The rocketsonde system for weather obeservations consists of a rocket that launches instruments that can make weather observatons up to an altitude of 250 000 ft (76 200m)

The rocket is 12-foot-tall and is powered by a 4 inch diameter solid rocket engine. The rocket engine separates at an altitude of 5000 ft and the rest of the rocketsonde coasts to apogee (highest point). This can be set to an altitude of 65 000 ft to 370 000 ft.

The weather instruments record data on temperature, wind speed and direction, wind shear, pressure and air density.