Commercial space operations noise and sonic boom issues

Abstract

Commercial space transportation is a rapidly developing industry worldwide. The expansion of the space transportation infrastructure creates additional challenges to the National Airspace System. New launch facilities have and are being developed some of which co-locate with commercial airports. Rocket launch community noise impact requires adequate assessment and mitigation. New space vehicles encompass a wide range of design, aircraft geometry, and flight parameters. A database of operational launch profiles for rockets does not exist at this moment. The acoustical characteristic of these new vehicles may also differ from that of existing rockets or conventional aircraft. Spacecraft ascent sonic boom signatures have higher overpressure, longer duration and a bow shock. There are no standard methodologies for the environmental assessment of launch vehicles and sites. Developing and validating these models is an emerging field. In addition, the metrics used for community noise assessment for commercial aircraft are being used for commercial space operations and may not be appropriate for such use. The existing gaps in rocket launch community noise assessment, technical and regulatory requirements, and current steps the FAA is undertaking to establish an environmental regulatory framework for the commercial space operations will be discussed.