sounding rocket
noun
: a rocket used especially to obtain information concerning atmospheric conditions at various altitudes
Examples of sounding rocket in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The missions saw two suborbital sounding rockets launch from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks, Alaska loaded with scientific equipment that will fly into the atmosphere for a short period of time to gather data.
—
Julian Dossett, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The suborbital research rockets, known as sounding rockets, will launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Here's everything to know about sounding rockets and the latest NASA mission from New Mexico near the Texas border.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Interstellar has launched a handful of sounding rockets but hasn't yet built an orbital launcher.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sounding rocket
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julian Dossett, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The suborbital research rockets, known as sounding rockets, will launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Here's everything to know about sounding rockets and the latest NASA mission from New Mexico near the Texas border.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Interstellar has launched a handful of sounding rockets but hasn't yet built an orbital launcher.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sounding rocket
Cite this Entry
“Sounding rocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sounding%20rocket. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
