Starship super heavy acoustics: Far-field noise measurements during launch and the first-ever booster catch

2024/11/01 by Kent L. Gee, Noah L. Pulsipher, Makayle S. Kellison +3 · 3 voices · 2 citations
Engineering · Environmental Science · #Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research #Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows #Wind and Air Flow Studies

paper · doi:10.1121/10.0034453

openalex publication_date 2024/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

Far-field (9.7-35.5 km) noise measurements were made during the fifth flight test of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy, which included the first-ever booster catch. Key results involving launch and flyback sonic boom sound levels include (a) A-weighted sound exposure levels during launch are 18 dB less than predicted at 35 km; (b) the flyback sonic boom exceeds 10 psf at 10 km; and (c) comparing Starship launch noise to Space Launch System and Falcon 9 shows that Starship is substantially louder; the far-field noise produced during a Starship launch is at least ten times that of Falcon 9.

Citations

• Flyback sonic booms from Falcon-9 rockets: Measured data and some considerations for future models

Cited by

• Falcon 9 ascent sonic boom measurements in Ventura County, California
• Starship Super Heavy acoustics: Comparing launch noise from Flights 5 and 6

Discussions

• Check out the November JASA Express Letters cover! It features photos from the launch of Flight 5 of the Starship Super Heavy. Don't miss the article, which discusses the first ever measurements of la [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
• If you're interested in learning about Starship's noise: Flight 5 launch noise and sonic boom overview: doi.org/10.1121/10.0... Flights 5 and 6 launch noise comparison: doi.org/10.1121/10.0... The [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
• #Spacex #Starship 10 times louder than the Falcon rockets. Overpressure of 10 pounds/sq ft at distance of 6.2 miles. (Viewing area is five miles from launch / catch tower). #everythingsbiggerint [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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