Two-Stage NASA Sounding Rocket Goes Sub-Orbital | Video
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High Operational Tempo Sounding Rocket Program
A sounding rocket, sometimes called a research rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The rockets are used to carry instruments from 50 to 1,500 kilometres above the surface of the Earth; the altitude generally between weather balloons and satellites. Certain sounding rockets, such as the Black Brant X and XII, have an apogee between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres ; the maximum apogee of their class. Sounding rockets often use military surplus rocket motors. NASA routinely flies the Terrier Mk 70 boosted Improved Orion lifting 270–450-kilogram (600–990 lb) payloads into the exoatmospheric region between 100 and 200 kilometres.