rockoon

English

Etymology

Blend of rocket +‎ balloon

Noun

rockoon (plural rockoons)

1. (aviation, astronautics) A rocket, powered by solid fuel, that is not lit while on the ground but first carried into the upper atmosphere by a gas-filled balloon, then separated from the balloon and automatically ignited to allow it to achieve a higher altitude.

Coordinate terms

• rockaire (aeroplane-launched high-altitude rocket)