4 ms·
If rocket damage is a concern, why don’t such rockets destroy themselves right after leaving the launchpad? At that point the water suppression is no longer rel
by ggreer 6y ago
If rocket damage is a concern, why don’t such rockets destroy themselves right after leaving the launchpad? At that point the water suppression is no longer relevant but the sound waves are just as powerful. It can’t just be that the ground reflects sound waves, since that would only be a ≈3dB (2x) increase in sound energy. Rockets with >2x more thrust seem to use the same sound suppression, so rocket damage can’t be the main reason for installing such systems.
My guess is that water systems are needed to reduce damage to the launch pad.
- DJBunnies 6y agoYou are proposing...a self destroying launch vehicle? Would you ride it?
- simonh 6y agoLarger rockets use water as part of the overall suppression system yes, but that doesn't make the whole system the same. The size, depth and shape of the flame pit, the rate of water delivery and the design of the spay system, etc will all make a difference.
- maccam94 6y agoThe issue is that the sound waves bounce off the pad back towards the rocket. Once the rocket has left the pad, the sound waves proceed behind it and there's no risk of them hitting the body.