Saturn-V sound levels: A letter to the Redditor

2022/08/01 by Kent L. Gee, Logan T. Mathews, Mark C. Anderson +1 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Vehicle Noise and Vibration Control

paper · doi:10.1121/10.0013216

openalex publication_date 2022/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

The Saturn V is a monument to one of mankind's greatest achievements: the human Moon landings. However, online claims about this vehicle's impressive acoustics by well-meaning individuals are often based on misunderstood or incorrect data. This article, intended for both educators and enthusiasts, discusses topics related to rocket acoustics and documents what is known about the Saturn V's levels: overall power, maximum overall sound pressure, and peak pressure. The overall power level was approximately 204 dB re 1 pW, whereas its lesser sound pressure levels were impacted by source size, directivity, and propagation effects. As this article is part of a special issue on Education in Acoustics in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, supplementary Saturn V-related homework problems are included.

Cited by

• Sound power of NASA's lunar rockets: Space Launch System versus Saturn V
• Space Launch System acoustics: Far-field noise measurements of the Artemis-I launch

Discussions

• People still ask: Was Saturn V really that loud? ASA researchers broke it down - decibels, distance, and why it still matters today. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0013216 #RocketSound #Goddard100 [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]

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