This study investigates the sensitivity of meteoric smoke particle distribution to microphysical properties and atmospheric conditions. Meteoric smoke particles, formed from ablated meteoric material, are believed to play a crucial role in middle atmosphere phenomena such as noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes. The research uses a one-dimensional microphysical model to assess how uncertainties in factors like coagulation efficiency and vertical wind affect the distribution of these particles. Key findings indicate that coagulation efficiency and vertical wind are the most significant factors influencing meteoric smoke distribution. The seasonal variation in vertical wind leads to substantial global and temporal variations in the distribution of meteoric smoke. This challenges the assumption of a homogeneous global layer of meteoric smoke, suggesting instead a more complex, variable distribution. The study also reveals that the number of nanometre-sized smoke particles at the summer mesopause is much lower than previously thought, which has implications for their role as condensation nuclei for noctilucent clouds. The research highlights the importance of understanding the microphysical properties of meteoric smoke and the atmospheric conditions that influence their distribution. It emphasizes the need for further studies to better constrain the unknown parameters and improve models of meteoric smoke behavior in the middle atmosphere. The study also underscores the importance of considering vertical wind effects when comparing data from rocket campaigns to model results, as these effects significantly influence the distribution and properties of meteoric smoke particles and ice particles in the middle atmosphere.This study investigates the sensitivity of meteoric smoke particle distribution to microphysical properties and atmospheric conditions. Meteoric smoke particles, formed from ablated meteoric material, are believed to play a crucial role in middle atmosphere phenomena such as noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes. The research uses a one-dimensional microphysical model to assess how uncertainties in factors like coagulation efficiency and vertical wind affect the distribution of these particles. Key findings indicate that coagulation efficiency and vertical wind are the most significant factors influencing meteoric smoke distribution. The seasonal variation in vertical wind leads to substantial global and temporal variations in the distribution of meteoric smoke. This challenges the assumption of a homogeneous global layer of meteoric smoke, suggesting instead a more complex, variable distribution. The study also reveals that the number of nanometre-sized smoke particles at the summer mesopause is much lower than previously thought, which has implications for their role as condensation nuclei for noctilucent clouds. The research highlights the importance of understanding the microphysical properties of meteoric smoke and the atmospheric conditions that influence their distribution. It emphasizes the need for further studies to better constrain the unknown parameters and improve models of meteoric smoke behavior in the middle atmosphere. The study also underscores the importance of considering vertical wind effects when comparing data from rocket campaigns to model results, as these effects significantly influence the distribution and properties of meteoric smoke particles and ice particles in the middle atmosphere.