More Sonic Science From Vandenberg’s First Mission Update
Jarrod Zinn
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Vandenberg held its first Mission Update last Friday evening.
The presentation contained a lot of information for the public.
Col. James Horne III says the physics of launches are literally being written during every mission.
He announced that launches will not be slowing down.
“You are witnessing the new space race,” the colonel said in his presentation.
But the impacts are being thoroughly studied.
For example, Brigham Young University physics professor Kent Gee heads the “ECOBOOM” research.
He says 18 months of study have revealed a better understanding of sound and its effects on the environment.
“By collecting data on as many different types of rockets, by as many providers as possible, we’re learning,” says Gee. “We’re talking I’m making measurements of Vulcan, a New Glenn, of Falcon Nine, Falcon Heavy, of SLS, of Starship. All of these different rockets to try to piece together what might be going on.”
The area impacted by the heaviest and most audible vibrations from a sonic boom is referred to as the ‘footprint’ or ‘carpet.’
“Everyone from the Space Force to what’s known as the Defense Noise Working Group knew that noise from launches was going to be more of a concern,” says Gee.
Gee says sonic booms are similar to a boat’s wake in water, and they’re steered by weather conditions, particularly wind, making the determination of a carpet’s location unpredictable.
“That focus that I talked about can move all the way from Santa Barbara, all the way to Oxnard, right?” says Gee. “That’s a huge, huge distance for the same trajectory. It’s the same launch, and it just the weather pushes it all over the place.”
During the Q & A, a community member asked about reimbursement for property damages due to launches, and Col. Horne’s assistant said people can file a claim.
Whoever files a claim would have to provide proof the particular vendor’s launch caused the damage, and the same technology used for this study could help make that determination.
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