2025/12/02 by Jordan W. Bishop, Philip Blom, Bishop, Jordan W. +5
Engineering · Mathematics · #Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows #Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics (physics.ao-ph) #Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory #Geophysics (physics.geo-ph) #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2512.03119
openalex publication_date 2025/12/02 · openalex created_date 2025/12/05 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule hypersonic re-entry into the atmosphere is a rare opportunity to test a variety of sonic boom source models since the projectile dimensions are well characterized. While the as-flown flight path is unknown, the predicted flight path enables a rough approximation of the source Mach number and location. Six infrasound microphones deployed in the boom carpet along the predicted flight path recorded impulsive signals from the OSIRIS-REx re-entry. Using a suite of atmosphere profiles and the geometric acoustics approximation, we estimate locations with uncertainty estimates along the flight path from which the signals were emitted. Acoustic overpressure and signal duration predictions from Whitham's far field theory, Carlson's simplified sonic boom prediction method, and a drag-dominated hypersonic model are analyzed with uncertainty estimates from the location estimate. While the Carlson simplified sonic boom prediction method could be accurate, our preference is for the drag-dominated source model. Using this source model with an inviscid Burgers' equation solver for propagation, we obtained an excellent match to the recorded data. These results will help better inform future sample return capsule re-entry observation campaigns as well as contribute to a better understanding of high altitude infrasonic sources.