Saturn-V sound levels: A letter to the Redditor

• DOI: 10.1121/10.0013216
• Publication Date: 2022-08-23T14:45:40Z
• Authors: Kent L. Gee; Logan T. Mathews; Mark C. Anderson; Grant W. Hart
• Keywords: Directivity; Rocket (weapon)

The Saturn V is a monument to one of mankind's greatest achievements: the human Moon landings. However, online claims about this vehicle's impressive acoustics by well-meaning individuals are often based on misunderstood or incorrect data. This article, intended for both educators and enthusiasts, discusses topics related rocket documents what known V's levels: overall power, maximum sound pressure, peak pressure. power level was approximately 204 dB re 1 pW, whereas its lesser pressure levels were impacted source size, directivity, propagation effects. As article part special issue Education in Acoustics Journal Acoustical Society America, supplementary V-related homework problems included.