Meteor

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Sounding rocket. Country: Poland. Status: Retired 1974.

Family of Polish sounding rockets developed by the Polish Aviation Institute for the Polish Hydro-Meteorological institute beginning in 1962.

Manufacturer: Poland Aviation Institute. Launches: 134. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1963-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1974-06-06. Launch data is: complete. Version:

Meteor-1.

Single stage vehicle.

Meteor 1 was a boosted dart, unguided, stabilized by perforated plywood fins sheethed with aluminum and launched from a mobile 4-m high tower. The solid motor burned for 2.3 seconds and boosted the 4.5 kg dart to 1100 m/s. The dart reached its 36.5 km apogee 80 seconds after launch, at which point a timer ignited a charge, dispersing a chaff cloud for radar tracking. The Meteor-1C version had a larger dart and could make three chaff releases. Meteor-1E carried a parachute-borne instrument package. Empty weight 14.5 kg.

Launches: 110. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1963-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1973-09-15. Payload: 4.50 kg (9.90 lb). to a: 36.5 km trajectory. Apogee: 37 km (23 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Total Mass: 33 kg (72 lb). Core Diameter: 0.12 m (0.39 ft). Total Length: 2.55 m (8.38 ft). Span: 0.41 m (1.34 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Meteor-3-2. Gross Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Empty Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-1. Thrust (vac): 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Burn time: 2.30 sec. Length: 1.80 m (5.90 ft). Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Version:

Meteor-2H.

Larger version of Meteor, capable of taking twice the payload to twice the altitude. Single stage vehicle.

The solid motor burned for 18 seconds and boosted the 4.5 kg dart to 1100 m/s.

Launches: 6. First Launch Date: 1968-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1970-01-01. Payload: 4.50 kg (9.90 lb). to a: 68 km trajectory. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 24.000 kN (5,395 lbf). Total Mass: 368 kg (811 lb). Core Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Total Length: 4.36 m (14.30 ft). Span: 1.05 m (3.44 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Meteor-2H-1. Gross Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Empty Mass: 126 kg (277 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-2. Thrust (vac): 24.000 kN (5,395 lbf). Burn time: 18 sec. Length: 4.20 m (13.70 ft). Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Version:

Meteor-2K.

The most powerful Polish rocket ever flown. 2 stage vehicle consisting of 2 x Meteor 1 + 1 x Meteor-2.

Launched from 1 14-m rail launcher. All three motors ignited at launch. The two boosters separated at T+2,3 seconds and 440 m altitude. The sustainer burned out at T+18 seconds at a velocity of 1540 m/s. The dart then separated and coasted to 90 km altitude, where two payloads were released: a chaff cloud and the parachute-borne Ramses radiosonde.

Launches: 4. First Launch Date: 1970-07-10. Last Launch Date: 1970-10-07. to a: 90 km trajectory. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 52.000 kN (11,690 lbf). Total Mass: 420 kg (920 lb). Core Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Total Length: 4.36 m (14.30 ft). Span: 1.05 m (3.44 ft).

Stage0: 2 x Meteor-2K-0. Empty Mass: 15 kg (33 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-1. Thrust (vac): 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Burn time: 2.30 sec. Length: 1.70 m (5.50 ft). Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Stage1: 1 x Meteor-2H-1. Gross Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Empty Mass: 126 kg (277 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-2. Thrust (vac): 24.000 kN (5,395 lbf). Burn time: 18 sec. Length: 4.20 m (13.70 ft). Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Version:

Meteor-3.

Development of the Meteor-3 began in 1967. The two stage vehicle consisted of two modified Meteor-1 stages in tandem. It was launched from a 12-m rail launcher and could take the 4.5 kg dart payload to 65 km.

Launches: 14. First Launch Date: 1968-10-01. Last Launch Date: 1974-06-06. Payload: 4.50 kg (9.90 lb). to a: 65 km trajectory. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Total Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Core Diameter: 0.12 m (0.39 ft). Total Length: 4.29 m (14.06 ft). Span: 0.42 m (1.37 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Meteor-3-2. Gross Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Empty Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-1. Thrust (vac): 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Burn time: 2.30 sec. Length: 1.80 m (5.90 ft). Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Stage2: 1 x Meteor-3-2. Gross Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Empty Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Motor: 1 x Meteor-1. Thrust (vac): 14.000 kN (3,147 lbf). Burn time: 2.30 sec. Length: 1.80 m (5.90 ft). Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Meteor Chronology

1963 - Leba -. Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1965 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1965 April 1 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1965 June 16 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1966 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 5 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 6 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 10 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 11 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 14 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 17 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 19 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 20 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 April 23 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 2 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 3 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 6 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 11 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 12 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1967 May 13 - 12:00 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1968 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1968? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 1 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1968? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 2 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1968 October 1 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1969? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 5 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1969? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 3 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1969? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 4 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1969 October 3 - 20:30 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

1969 October 3 - 21:33 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 48 km (29 mi).

1969 October 3 - 22:30 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 49 km (30 mi).

1970? - Leba -. Meteor-2H 6 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi).

1970 July 10 - 04:45 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi).

1970 July 19 - Leba -. Meteor-2K 8 Test mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

1970 August 22 - 00:15 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 57 km (35 mi).

1970 September 2 - 20:15 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 63 km (39 mi).

1970 September 7 - 20:15 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 62 km (38 mi).

1970 September 9 - 20:15 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 61 km (37 mi).

1970 October 7 - 09:30 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

1970 October 7 - 10:55 GMT - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 89 km (55 mi).

1973 June 11 - 15:40 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-1 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi).

1973 June 12 - 15:30 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-1 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi).

1973 June 14 - 15:30 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-3 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).

1973 June 15 - 15:30 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-3 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi).

1973 June 15 - 16:20 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-1 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).

1973 September 15 - 15:30 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-1 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi).

1973 September 16 - 15:30 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-3 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

1973 September 17 - 15:50 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-3 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

1973 September 18 - 15:35 GMT - Leba -. Meteor-3 Grot-Somit Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

1974 June 6 - Leba -. Aeronomy mission Agency: PIHM. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

Bibliography:

McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

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