Some Questions Regarding the loudness of Shuttle Launch

[ysl007]

Hi there everyone , as i was watching the past archives of Shuttle Launches videos and this question came through my mind how loud is a Shuttle launch ? will the Loud ignition sound of the 3 SSMES and the Sound of litfoff Cause damage to one's eardrurm if a person is close to the launch Area ?

 

[rfoshaug]

Welcome to SpaceDotCom!<br /><br />If you stood too close to a shuttle launch the sound would actually be loud enough to kill you. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />The sound at the press viewing site is also extremely loud. Even if it's a few kilometers (3? 4? 5?) away from the launch pad, car alarms are set off by the sound waves.<br /><br />I believe I read somewhere that a Shuttle launch is the loudest manmade event ever except for large explosions (nuclear bombs etc.).<br /><br /><br />If you go to www.nasaspaceflight.com and look at the video section of the forum (you'll need to register as a user to view this part of the forum - it is free), you can search for a thread named something like "the SOUND of a shuttle launch". It's probably in the top 2 or 3 pages on that forum. It's a private video showing some of the sound during a launch. Those who have actually been there for a launch say that this video is not very realistic - in reality it is MUCH louder - but it shows some of the power. Because the person filming is so far away, it takes a few seconds for the sound to really reach the camera, but then it just grows louder and louder and louder... It's one the most impressive shuttle videos I've seen.<br /><br />The 3 SSME's make a lot of sound, but the really noisy part is when the boosters ignite.<br /><br /><br />And that water they spray into the flame trench just before liftoff - it's not primarily for cooling of the pad, but to prevent the sound from echoing back from the ground and damaging the aft end of the shuttle!<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff9900">----------------------------------</font></p><p><font color="#ff9900">My minds have many opinions</font></p> </div>

 

[qso1]

Good comentary on the shuttle sounds at launch.<br /><br />In addition to your comments. The sound varies depending on weather conditions. If clouds are present of if its a cold winter day. I'm told a good area to watch the shuttle from is the VAB. The sound apparently reverbs off the building in some areas.<br /><br />The sound suppresion water also was an attempt to muffle the sound a bit. I recall reading a book long ago about the Saturn-V. The first launch they didn't have enough sound suppression water and the sound waves actually caused the press booth to either be damaged or collapse entirely. This booth was at the press site near the VAB which itself is about 3.5 miles from 39-A. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[ysl007]

<img src="/images/icons/blush.gif" /> That was a cool video and the sounds is really far different of those From NASA TV during launch . Thanks rfoshaug and qso 1 for the links and the useful info regarding my Question !!! =D Thank you !

 

[qso1]

You bet, but the best way IMO, to experience any launch...is to be there to witness it sight and sound. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[willpittenger]

Well, with the first Saturn V, "the question wasn't whether the Saturn went up, but if Florida went down!" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[willpittenger]

Here is a rather unique way to measure how load a shuttle launch is:<br /><br />Male alligators make a low rumbling sound to stake out their territory and attract mates. Cars going by make them think that the car is another alligator. And the king alligator for all of Florida? Well a shuttle launch causes alligators all over Florida to become jealous. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[qso1]

LOL, I recall a similar comment years ago that went something like "With the first Saturn V, "the question wasn't whether the Saturn went up, but if Florida sunk!" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[ysl007]

I Gotta Agree the Shuttle Launches of KSC are one of the best things that one can observe in the Florida coast in person and it's the best thing next to being in the shuttle launching to orbit and it's also one of the reason even though i'm not an US citizen and living aboard , feel proud of the United states Space programme and it's goal of reaching out to Mars and Beyond ! Go NASA !

 

[search]

Its amasing the questions you guys are able to come up with...<br /><br />215db <br />SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH EXHAUST, APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES PER SECOND<br /><br />Just try not to get too close...consider that it can get just a little bit breasy. Here is a demo from bigger machine with smaller engines:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CPo_6L0ABk<br /><br />"The decibel unit is commonly used in acoustics to quantify sound levels relative to some 0 dB reference. Commonly, sound intensities are specified as a sound pressure level (SPL) relative to 20 micropascals (20 µPa) in gases and 1 µPa in other media (standardized in ANSI S1.1-1994).[1] 20 µPa corresponds to the threshold of human hearing (roughly the sound of a mosquito flying 3 m away). Often, the unit dB(SPL) is used, implying the standard reference, though this is discouraged by the Acoustical Society of America, which recommends explicitly stating the reference level for each measurement; "100 dB re 20 µPa". [2][3]. In the remainder of this section, the reference level of 20 µPa is implied.<br />A reason for using the decibel is that the ear is capable of detecting a very large range of sound pressures. The ratio of the sound pressure that causes permanent damage from short exposure to the limit that (undamaged) ears can hear is above a million. Because the power in a sound wave is proportional to the square of the pressure, the ratio of the maximum power to the minimum power is above one (short scale) trillion. To deal with such a range, logarithmic units are useful: the log of a trillion is 12, so this ratio represents a difference of 120 dB.<br />Psychologists have debated whether loudness perception is better described as roughly logarithmic (see the Weber-Fechner law) or as a power law (see Stevens' power law), where the latter is now generally more accepted. A consequence of either model is that a volume control dial on a typical audio amplifi

 

[qso1]

Thanks and as a U.S. citizen, I hope I speak for all Americans when I say we appreciate your pride in a program thats for all of humanity. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[gawin]

To give you another idea of just how loud it is.<br /><br />I live on Floridas west coast north of tampa in a relitivly quiet area. Several minuts after watching the day launches on TV or night launches out side, We get to here the deep rumble from the craft going up <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> aprox 130 miles +- as the crow flies

 

[qso1]

That is indeed loud! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[bushuser]

I had read several years ago that the Saturn V launch was actually louder than the shuttle. I think that's believable, given the size of an F-1 engine X 5. Either way, something loud enough to kill you is to be respected.

 

[docm]

It was louder, and spectacular. Seeing that shock wave roll in sure gave me a touch of apprehension <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ysl007]

Wow i bet people living Near the Florida Launch Region Would have the feeling of a Sorta " earthQuake " During The Orbiter Launch into Orbit and the vibrations in the Flight deck would be tremedous

 

[tronchaser]

When I am not working console or the lab for launches, I observe the launches in front of the VAB toward the pads. A position approx 3 miles away from the Pads. My pant legs would move with the vibration from the launch blast. My chest would thump like one observing the explosions underneath fireworks. I get a feeling afterwards that can never be fully described other than it's a Blast!!!!

 

[bpcooper]

As a veteran of dozens of launches from all vantage points, I can tell you that it is loud, yes. It would not kill you from close-in, but inside of a mile or perhaps less it would damage your hearing temporarily or permanantly.<br /><br />From the three mile point it is loud enough that you have to yell to hear the person next to you talk over it. It is quite an experience.<br /><br />But out about 10-15 miles, in the most optimal conditions, the sound is not deafening. It can be a loud crackle/rumble and rattle your bones (bass travels better than audible sound).<br /><br />I would doubt having heard it from Tampa (perhaps a bit of imagination in realtime or anywhere beyond about 30-40 miles. Sound is affected too much by atmosphere. If you were on the ocean on the east coast, say Daytona, along the beach when it is very quiet, you can barely make it out under the best conditions several minutes after launch (sound travels better over water).<br /><br />But even from 20 miles away the sound falls off a good deal.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[ysl007]

Just an Update - I've tried to write in via NASA's HSF section regarding this Question i posted here hoping to get their answer regarding this but They are unable to do so and gave me the reasons mentioned below .<br /><br />Dear Space Flight Enthusiast,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Thank you for your recent letter requesting information about the National Aeronautics and Space administration (NASA). Unfortunately, due to the large volume of mail we receive, we are unable to answer each letter personally. However, we have enclosed these helpful websites to assist you in your search. <br /><br />http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/index.html<br /><br />www.nasa.gov<br /><br />www.spaceflight.nasa.gov<br /><br />www.jpl.nasa.gov<br /><br />http://www11.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/<br /><br />www.education.nasa.gov

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

I certainly heard in in Sanford when I was there, but that is a lot closer than Tampa. At my house in Titusville, the first thing I hear are the dishes rattling/chattering from everyone's houses then Ii hear the deep rumble of the SSME's. A few seconds later the sound level goes way up as the SRB's kick in. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>