Lift-Off Acoustics Predictions for the Ares I Launch Pad

The vibroacoustic environment associated with large launch vehicles is of concern for the integrity of the launch complex and the vehicle itself. A large body of knowledge of this environment was developed during the early years of the missile and space flight, particularly during the Apollo program. Reference 1, prepared by Sutherland and others during that era, contains much of that knowledge. A specific process for predicting noise on and around the vehicle itself and the launcher is presented in Reference 2, prepared by Eldred, et al. Recent reviews of the process, e.g., Reference 3, have suggested some revised details but generally support the methodology in Reference 2.