Rohini (rocket family)

Rohini is a series of sounding rockets developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for meteorological and atmospheric study. These sounding rockets are capable of carrying payloads of 2 to 200 kilograms (4.4 to 440.9 lb) between altitudes of 100 to 500 kilometres (62 to 311 mi).[1] The ISRO currently uses RH-200, RH-300, RH-300 Mk-II, RH-560 Mk-II and RH-560 Mk-III rockets, which are launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba and the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.

Rohini rocket family

Various programs such as Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ), Leonid Meteor Shower (LMS), Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), Monsoon Experiment (MONEX), Middle Atmosphere Dynamics (MIDAS), and Sooryagrahan-2010 have been conducted using the Rohini sounding rocket series. It has been the forerunners for ISRO's heavier and more complex launch vehicles, with continued usage even today for atmospheric and meteorological experiment and research

Nomenclature

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.[2]

Series
RH-75

The RH-75, the first sounding rocket developed by India,[3][4] 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.

RH-100

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.

RH-125

This rocket was launched on October 9, 1971, from Sriharikota. It was a two-stage rocket using a solid propellant, 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.

RH-200

The RH-200 is a two-stage rocket that can reach up to a maximum altitude of 70 kilometres (43 mi).[5] Solid motors power the first and second stages of the RH-200. A polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based propellant had previously been employed with the RH-200 rocket. In September 2020, a new propellant based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) was successfully used to flow it from the TERLS.

RH-300

The Rh-300 is a single stage sounding rocket, derived from French Belier 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).[5] 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.

RH-560

This two stage vehicle is derived from French Stromboli engine technology. Another variant, the RH-560 Mk-II, can reach a maximum launch altitude of 548 kilometres (341 mi).[5] The RH-560 Mk-III variant's maiden flight (the flight was successful) was 12 March 2021.[6]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), Langmuir Probe (LP), Tri Methyl Aluminium (TMA).

Applications

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 VIT University in Vellore.[7]

Rohini series of sounding rockets
NameRH 75RH 125RH 200/125RH-300RH-300 Mk IIRH-300/200/200RH-560/300RH-560/300 Mk II
Gross mass8 kg (18 lb)40 kg (88 lb)100 kg (220 lb)300 kg (660 lb)500 kg (1,100 lb)500 kg (1,100 lb)1,300 kg (2,800 lb)1,600 kg (3,530 lb)
Height1.50 m (4.90 ft)2.50 m (8.20 ft)3.60 m (11.80 ft)4.10 m (13.40 ft)5.90 m (19.30 ft)8.00 m (26.20 ft)8.40 m (27.50 ft)9.10 m (29.80 ft)
Diameter0.0800 m (0.2620 ft)0.12 m (0.39 ft)0.20 m (0.65 ft)0.31 m (1.01 ft)0.31 m (1.01 ft)0.31 m (1.01 ft)0.56 m (1.83 ft)0.56 m (1.83 ft)
Thrust8.00 kN (1,798 lbf)17.00 kN (3,821 lbf)38.00 kN (8,542 lbf)39.00 kN (8,767 lbf)38.00 kN (8,542 lbf)76.00 kN (17,085 lbf)76.00 kN (17,085 lbf)
Apogee10 kilometres (6.2 mi)20 kilometres (12 mi)80 kilometres (50 mi)100 kilometres (62 mi)150 kilometres (93 mi)300 kilometres (190 mi)400 kilometres (250 mi)500 kilometres (310 mi)
Stages11211322
First Launch20 November 19671 January 19701 January 19798 June 19871 November 198524 April 197416 August 1995
Payload (kg)17106070100


Rockets based on Rohini Sounding series.

Advanced Technology Vehicle Although ALV consisted of two RH-560 motors but it was not intended for meteorological use, hence it is not regarded as a Rohini sounding rocket.

Nano Satellite Launch Vehicle NSLV was initially revealed in the presentation "The Indian Space Enterprise New Vision & Direction" by S. Somanath on February 11, 2021 at Technovanza Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). There was a hint of "NSLV" in it. It is a launch vehicle designed specifically to put Nano Satellites into orbit. The NSLV has the potential to become the smallest orbital rocket in use. Its engines will be adapted from several rohini sounding rocket models (RH-560) that have been in use by ISRO for years. The vehicle will have four stages, three active motors, and a top stage with a satellite-containment nose. The anticipated payload load is 5 kg (Leo: 200*2000 kms). The assembly and launch will be simple and will be used for the quick launch of micro and nano satellites. It has been built as a result of the excessive traffic on PSLV and GSLV system. Both the SSLV and NSLV are intended to be launch-on-demand systems. NSLV will work in tandem with SSlV system. The first NSLV launch could take place as late as 2030, hence no NSLV mission can be anticipated anytime soon.

References
  1. Subramanium, T S (16 January 2004). "Reaching out to the stars". Frontline. Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  2. "ISRO > FAQ". Frequently Asked Questions: ISRO. Indian Space Research Organisation.
  3. Chari, Sridhar K (22 July 2006). "Sky is not the limit". The Tribune. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  4. "Welcome to Indian Space Research Organisation - FAQ". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  5. Venugopal, P (15 January 2010). "Ten rockets fired to study solar eclipse". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  6. "Launch of sounding rocket (RH-560)". 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  7. "Isro launches rocket with part made by students". The Financial Express. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2013.

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