rockoon

American  

[rok-oon, ro-koon] / ˈrɒk un, rɒˈkun /

noun

1. a rocket launched from a balloon at a high altitude.

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rockoon British  

/ rɒˈkuːn /

noun

1. a rocket carrying scientific equipment for studying the upper atmosphere, fired from a balloon at high altitude

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Etymology

Origin of rockoon

1950–55; rock(et ¹ ) + (ball)oon

Example Sentences

He wants to build a "Rockoon," a rocket that is carried into the atmosphere by a gas-filled balloon, then separated from the balloon and lit.

From Los Angeles Times

He wants to build a “Rockoon,” a rocket that is carried into the atmosphere by a gas-filled balloon, then separated from the balloon and lit.

From Washington Times

The second Rockoon behaved in the same maddening way.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the theory that extreme cold at high altitude might have stopped the clockwork supposed to ignite the rockets, Van Allen heated cans of orange juice, snuggled them into the third Rockoon's gondola, and wrapped the whole business in insulation.

From Time Magazine Archive

But his Iowa graduate students carried on the Rockoon firings off the coast of Newfoundland.

From Time Magazine Archive