Infrasound at Long Range from Saturn V, 1967

Abstract

Two distinct groups of infrasonic waves from Saturn V, 1967, were recorded at Palisades, New York, 1485 kilometers from the launch site. The first group, of 10-minute duration, began about 70 minutes after launch time; the second, having more than twice the amplitude and a duration of 9 minutes, commenced 81 minutes after launch time. From information on the Saturn V trajectory and analysis of recorded data, it is established that the first group represents sound emitted either by the first stage reentry or by the second stage when its elevation was above 120 kilometers. The second, more intense wave group represents the sound from the powered first stage. A reversal of signal occurs because the rocket outran its own sound. Fourier analyses indicate that the energy extends to relatively long periods—10 seconds for the first stage and 7 seconds for the second. Trapping of sound in the upper atmospheric sound channel can be the cause of the separation of the signal into two distinct groups.

Ionospheric response to the shock and acoustic waves excited by the launch of the Shenzhou 10 spacecraft

“…Although early, single‐point observations indicated that shock acoustic waves excited by rocket launches can propagate as far as ~1500 km [ Donn et al , ], large‐area, long‐distance propagation of such waves has not previously been reported. Since a freely propagating acoustic wave would suffer from severe dissipation owing to kinematic viscosity, conductivity, and ion drag [ Drobzheva and Krasnov , ; Vadas and Nicolls , ], the waves' long‐distance propagation may result from ducting, which has been discussed extensively elsewhere [ Thome , ; Francis , ; Hunsucker , ; Ding et al , ; Matsumura et al , ].…”

A large‐amplitude traveling ionospheric disturbance excited by the space shuttle during launch

“…The atmospheric transit of rockets has been shown by Booker [1961], Jackson et al [1962], Kellogg [1964], Stone et al [1964], Felker and Roberts [1966], Donn et al [1968], Arendt [1971], Mendillo et al [1975], Zasov et al [1977], Behnke and Duncan [1980], Bernhardt et al [1988a, b], and others to produce a variety of atmospheric effects. Among these effects is the generation of propagating disturbances.…”

Ionospheric hole behind an ascending rocket observed with a dense GPS array

“…The recent expansion of continuous GPS networks enabled the observations of growth and decay of such holes with sufficient spatial and temporal coverage. Infrasound has been often observed to accompany rocket launches (Donn et al, 1968). Calais and Minster (1996), using the GPS-TEC technique, detected such acoustic perturbation of the ionosphere, a physical influence of rocket ascent on ionosphere.…”