Predicting and mitigating acoustic levels become critical because of the harsh acoustic environment during space vehicle lift-off. This paper aimed to study the aero-acoustic environment during a rocket lift-off. The sound propagation within a launch event was studied using dedicated computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The resolution of all the phenomena that occur is unfeasible. We discuss the turbulence simplification and propose a feasible simulation through an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) model. The results were validated with experimental data showing a good correlation near the fairing surface and an improvable accuracy in the far field. To assess noise generation, the main shock waves were identified, and the evolution of the generated sound pressure was assessed. Moreover, vertical directivity was revealed by data analysis of the pressure field surrounding the fairing.
The vibroacoustic loading generated during the launch of space vehicles can cause the failure of electronic and mechanical components. Therefore, the prediction and mitigation of these vibroacoustic levels are crucial to improve the reliability of launchers and payload comfort. Because a properly designed flame deflector has the power to significantly reduce the acoustic pressure level, the aeroacoustics characteristics of diverse types of flame deflectors must be understood. Three different deflector geometries have been analysed: a wedge-type deflector, which is currently used on the VEGA rocket launch pad, a 30-degree inclined deflector, since new studies highlight its noise reduction capacity, and a flat deflector, since the impact on a flat plate is the simplest case of reflection. The sound generation and propagation in the launch platform full domain for each case were studied using dedicated computational fluid dynamics in BSC MareNostrum. To assess noise generation, the main shock waves were identified, and the evolution of the generated sound pressure was assessed. Moreover, the sound pressure levels at the fairing surface have been studied. Further research is focused right now on the use of an efficient solver running on graphics processing units that is capable of computing large-scale turbulence.
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