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Rohini (rocket family)
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<h2 id="brief-history">Brief History</h2> <p>On November 21, 1963, the American <a href="/facts/Nike-Apache/schnVYKW">Nike-Apache</a> was the first sounding rocket to launch from Thumba. Following that, two-stage rockets from France <a href="/facts/Centaure_(rocket)/kuvwHf8I">(Centaure)</a> and Russia <a href="/facts/M-100_(rocket)/qp71L8Eu">(M-100)</a> were launched. In 1967, the Rohini RH-75, an ISRO variant, was launched. The Rohini Sounding Rocket (RSR) Programme was established in 1975 to encompass all sounding rocket operations. </p> <h2 id="nomenclature">Nomenclature</h2> <p>The rockets in the series are designated with the letters RH (for "Rohini"), followed by a number corresponding to the diameter (in millimetres) of the rocket.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="series">Series</h2> <h3>RH-75</h3> <p>The RH-75,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> the first sounding rocket developed by India,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> It weighed 32 kilograms (71 lb), had a diameter of 75 millimetres (3.0 in) and flew 15 times between November 1967 and September 1968. </p> <h3>RH-100</h3> <p>The RH-100 was a single-stage solid-fuel rocket that was capable of carrying its payload up to an altitude of 55 km or more. When paired with a 650mm long by 40mm wide copper shaft dart used for meteorological research, it was referred to as a Menaka-I rocket. </p> <h3>RH-125</h3> <p>This rocket was launched on October 9, 1971, from Sriharikota. It was a single-stage rocket using a <a href="/facts/Propellant/K88ymXRy">solid propellant</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> carrying a 7 kilograms (15 lb) payload to 19 kilometres (12 mi) in altitude. It flew twice between January 1970 and October 1971. It was used in testing and perfecting various techniques like staging, destruct system, separation devices and clustering. It was also used as a booster to the weather forecasting rockets. As such it was named as Menaka II which worked along with Menaka I.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h3>RH-200</h3> <p>The RH-200 is a two-stage rocket that can reach up to a maximum altitude of 80 kilometres (50 mi).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> Solid motors power the first and second stages of the RH-200. A polyvinyl chloride (<a href="/facts/Polyvinyl_chloride/9VkegJvr">PVC</a>)-based propellant had previously been employed with the RH-200 rocket. In September 2020, a new propellant based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (<a href="/facts/HTPB/vY8fBq7C">HTPB</a>) was successfully used to launch it from the TERLS. </p> <h3>RH-300</h3> <p>The RH-300 is a single stage sounding rocket, derived from French <a href="/facts/B%25C3%25A9lier_(rocket)/5GgKcmCz">Belier</a> rocket engine technology. It has a launch altitude of 100 km (62 mi). A variant, the RH-300 Mk-II, has a maximum launch altitude of 116 kilometres (72 mi).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> It has ability to lift a payload up to 80 kilograms (20 kg of scientific payload) having volume measuring 380*500 mm in diameter. It is capable of reaching very high acceleration (20 G to M6). Numerous payloads can be tested in a single flight. </p> <h3>RH-560</h3> <p>This two stage vehicle is derived from French Stromboli engine technology.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> Another variant, the RH-560 Mk-II, can reach a maximum launch altitude of 548 kilometres (341 mi).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> The RH-560 Mk-III variant's maiden flight (the flight was successful) was 12 March 2021.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> It achieved an apogee of 511.73 kms against the pre-flight prediction of 476 kms. The payloads were Electron and Neutral Wind Probe (ENWi), <a href="/facts/Langmuir_probe/BGqHFah8">Langmuir Probe</a> (LP) and <a href="/facts/Trimethylaluminium/QxlKB90v">Tri Methyl Aluminium</a> (TMA). </p> <h3>Air-breathing propulsion version</h3> <p>On 23rd July 2024, ISRO successfully launched world's first air breathing rocket which is a modified version of RH-560.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="applications">Applications</h2> <p>The RH-200 is used for meteorological studies, the RH-300 Mk-II for Middle atmospheric studies and the RH-560 Mk-II for Upper atmospheric studies and ionospheric studies. The RH-200 was used as the rocket for the first payload launch in India made by students of <a href="/facts/Vellore_Institute_of_Technology/sqllayPw">VIT University</a> in <a href="/facts/Vellore/9MuN5mG2">Vellore</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> </p> Rohini series of sounding rockets<table><tbody><tr><th>Name</th><th>Gross mass</th><th>Height</th><th>Diameter</th><th>Thrust</th><th>Apogee</th><th>Stages</th><th>First Launch</th><th>Payload (kg)</th></tr><tr><td>RH 75<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></td><td>32 kg<p>(71 lb)</p></td><td>1.50 m<p>(4.90 ft)</p></td><td>0.075 m<p>(0.3 inch)</p></td><td></td><td>10 km<p>(6.2 mi)</p></td><td>1</td><td>20 November 1967</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>RH 100</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>55 km<p>(34 mi)</p></td><td>1</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RH 125</td><td>40 kg<p>(88 lb)</p></td><td>2.50 m<p>(8.20 ft)</p></td><td>0.12 m<p>(0.39 ft)</p></td><td>8.00 kN<p>(1,798 lbf)</p></td><td>19 km<p>(12 mi)</p></td><td>2</td><td>1 January 1970</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>RH 200<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a></td><td>100 kg<p>(220 lb)</p></td><td>3.60 m<p>(11.80 ft)</p></td><td>0.20 m<p>(0.65 ft)</p></td><td>17.00 kN<p>(3,821 lbf)</p></td><td>80 km<p>(50 mi)</p></td><td>2</td><td>1 January 1979</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>RH-300<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a></td><td>300 kg<p>(660 lb)</p></td><td>4.10 m<p>(13.40 ft)</p></td><td>0.31 m<p>(1.01 ft)</p></td><td>38.00 kN<p>(8,542 lbf)</p></td><td>100 km<p>(62 mi)</p></td><td>1</td><td></td><td>60</td></tr><tr><td>RH-300 Mk II<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a></td><td>500 kg<p>(1,100 lb)</p></td><td>5.90 m<p>(19.30 ft)</p></td><td>0.31 m<p>(1.01 ft)</p></td><td>39.00 kN<p>(8,767 lbf)</p></td><td>116 km<p>(72 mi)</p></td><td>1</td><td>8 June 1987</td><td>80</td></tr><tr><td>RH-560<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a></td><td>1,300 kg<p>(2,800 lb)</p></td><td>8.40 m<p>(27.50 ft)</p></td><td>0.56 m<p>(1.83 ft)</p></td><td>76.00 kN<p>(17,085 lbf)</p></td><td>400 km<p>(250 mi)</p></td><td>2</td><td>24 April 1974</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RH-560 Mk II<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a></td><td>1,600 kg<p>(3,530 lb)</p></td><td>9.10 m<p>(29.80 ft)</p></td><td>0.56 m<p>(1.83 ft)</p></td><td>76.00 kN<p>(17,085 lbf)</p></td><td>548 km<p>(341 mi)</p></td><td>2</td><td>16 August 1995</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>RH-560 Mk III<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>511 km<p>(317 mi)</p></td><td>2</td><td>12 March 2021</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"RH". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh.html</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Subramanium, T S (16 January 2004). "Reaching out to the stars". Frontline. Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2012. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100219205953/http://flonnet.com/fl2101/stories/20040116004011600.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100219205953/http://flonnet.com/fl2101/stories/20040116004011600.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"ISRO > FAQ". Frequently Asked Questions: ISRO. Indian Space Research Organisation. <a href="http://www.isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx#a14" target="_blank">http://www.isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx#a14</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"RH-75". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-75.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-75.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Chari, Sridhar K (22 July 2006). "Sky is not the limit". The Tribune. Retrieved 10 March 2012. <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Welcome to Indian Space Research Organisation - FAQ". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-03-10. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121003165604/http://isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20121003165604/http://isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"RH-125". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-125.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-125.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Menaka II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/m/menakaii.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/m/menakaii.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"RH-200". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-200.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-200.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"RH-300 Mk II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-300mkii.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-300mkii.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"RH-560". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"RH-560/300 Mk II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560300mkii.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560300mkii.html</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Launch of sounding rocket (RH-560)". 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021. <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1370399457833971713/photo/3" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/isro/status/1370399457833971713/photo/3</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"ISRO conducts flight experiment of Air Breathing Propulsion System". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-10-25. <a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/ISROflightexperimentAirBreathingPropulsionSystem.html" target="_blank">https://www.isro.gov.in/ISROflightexperimentAirBreathingPropulsionSystem.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Isro successfully conducts second test of Air Breathing Propulsion Technology". India Today. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-10-25. <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/isro-successfully-conducts-second-test-of-air-breathing-propulsion-technology-2570706-2024-07-23" target="_blank">https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/isro-successfully-conducts-second-test-of-air-breathing-propulsion-technology-2570706-2024-07-23</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"ISRO conducts experimental flight of air-breathing propulsion system". The Hindu. 2024-07-23. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-10-25. <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-conducts-experimental-flight-of-air-breathing-propulsion-system/article68432854.ece" target="_blank">https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-conducts-experimental-flight-of-air-breathing-propulsion-system/article68432854.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Isro launches rocket with part made by students". The Financial Express. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2013. <a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/news/isro-launches-rocket-with-part-made-by-students/643498/0" target="_blank">http://www.financialexpress.com/news/isro-launches-rocket-with-part-made-by-students/643498/0</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Chari, Sridhar K (22 July 2006). "Sky is not the limit". The Tribune. Retrieved 10 March 2012. <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060722/saturday/main1.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"Welcome to Indian Space Research Organisation - FAQ". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-03-10. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121003165604/http://isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20121003165604/http://isro.org/scripts/faq.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"RH-200". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-200.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-200.html</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>"RH-300 Mk II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-300mkii.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-300mkii.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"RH-560". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560.html</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article80825.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>"RH-560/300 Mk II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01. <a href="http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560300mkii.html" target="_blank">http://www.astronautix.com/r/rh-560300mkii.html</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>"Launch of sounding rocket (RH-560)". 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021. <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1370399457833971713/photo/3" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/isro/status/1370399457833971713/photo/3</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>