Launch vehicle acoustic measurements for community noise model development and validation

A measurement campaign is being conducted under ACRP Project 02-81 to compile a database of high-fidelity modern rocket propulsion noise measurements for facilitating community noise model development and validation. As part of this measurement campaign, acoustic measurements of the Orbital ATK Antares rocket, launched as part of NASA’s eighth cargo resupply mission (OA-8E) to the International Space Station, were collected. The OA-8E acoustic measurement test plan was based on guidelines from the community noise measurement protocol being developed under the same effort. Pressure measurements were collected from 46 microphones at 19 unique geographic locations ranging from 0.2 to 19.1 km of the launch pad. The acoustic measurements and the resultant initial data products related to the OA-8E Antares launch will be presented. Comparisons of the multiple recording systems and microphone heights/orientations will be discussed in relation to their relevance in informing equipment recommendations and site lay...