The parameters of shock acoustic waves generated during rocket launches

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the form and dynamics of shock acoustic waves (SAW) generated during the launching of rockets P roton and S oyuz from the Baikonur cosmodrome in 1998–2000. In spite of the difference of geophysical conditions, the ionospheric response for all launchings had the character of an N-wave with a period of about 300 s and with an amplitude far exceeding background fluctuations. The angle of elevation of the SAW wave vector varies from 30° to 65°, and the SAW phase velocity (800–1200 m/s) approaches the sound velocity at heights of the ionospheric F region maximum. The position of the SAW source, inferred by neglecting refraction corrections, corresponds to the segment of the rocket path at a distance no less than 700–900 km from the launch pad, which is consistent with the estimated delay time of SAW source triggering (250–300 s).