Farfield Acoustic Effects of the Launch of the Saturn Space-Flight Vehicle

Abstract

The launch of large space-flight vehicles has resulted in the production of very high levels of acoustic noise. The largest of these to reach flight status, the SATURN C-1 vehicle, generates an estimated 40 MW. Sound-pressure-level measurements were recorded along three widely separated azimuths from the launch pad. Data are presented showing the variation of the sound-energy distribution as a function of both time and range. Spectral information is presented, along with the measured attenuation coefficients. The measured launch data are compared to similar data taken during static test.