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Sound power of NASA's lunar rockets: Space Launch System versus Saturn V
Makayle S Kellison1, Kent L Gee2
1Department of Physics, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida 32789, USA.
Abstract:
To improve acoustical models of super heavy-lift launch vehicles, this Letter reports Space Launch System's (SLS's) overall sound power level (OAPWL) and compares it to NASA's past lunar rocket, the Saturn V. Measurements made 1.4-1.8 km from the launchpad indicate that SLS produced an OAPWL of 202.4 (±0.5) dB re 1 pW and acoustic efficiency of about 0.33%. Adjustment of a static-fire sound power spectrum for launch conditions implies Saturn V was at least 2 dB louder than SLS with approximately twice the acoustic efficiency.
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