Launching rockets into space was a massive milestone for scientists, indicating prosperity and advancement for the human race. These are held in highly remote areas due to the noise that is produced; where does the noise come from?
Rockets break the sound barrier as they accelerate outside the Earth’s atmosphere, producing a loud sound called a sonic boom. Breaking the sound barrier refers to the stage of a rocket launching when the rocket reaches a speed that is higher than the speed of sound. All rockets are required to break the sound barrier to fulfill their purpose.
For more information, please continue reading.
What Is The Sound Barrier?
The sound barrier refers to increased aerodynamic drag or air resistance when a rocket approaches the same speed as the speed of sound. This air barrier is also known as the sonic barrier and occurs every time an object exceeds the speed of sound, which is 767 miles per hour.
During this phenomenon, the air pressure in front of the rocket increases and causes pressure waves which eventually merge into a single shock wave which causes a sonic boom.
Breaking the sound barrier is considered to be a huge milestone and success in aviation.
To better understand the sonic barrier, here’s something that explains the breaking of the sound barrier and the sonic boom that follows:
How Is Sound Affected By Speed?
The existence of a sound barrier means that the speed of the object impacts the sound produced by the movement of an object.
As rockets move through the air, they radiate pressure waves into the air in all directions. These pressure waves change air pressure and give rise to sound waves.
An increase in speed increases the frequency of pressure waves that are produced and hence, increase the frequency of sound waves produced.
When the rocket reaches the speed of sound, a massive shock wave is produced, and a sonic boom is experienced. The intensity of this sonic boom is determined by the size and speed of the rocket beyond the speed of sound. These sound waves can vary with the design and shape of the rocket as well as atmospheric conditions.
Speed Of Rockets
All rockets are designed differently to cater to and serve the mission that they are sent on. Due to this, their speed varies largely, but the air density and wind conditions also greatly impact the speed.
Below we will look at different types of rockets and the average speed they can maintain.
- Suborbital rockets – These are designed to reach space briefly and cannot reach an altitude where they can orbit Earth. Suborbital rockets travel at a speed of 3700 miles per hour or 6000 kilometers per hour.
- Orbital rockets – Designed to reach and maintain an orbit around Earth, orbital rockets require higher speeds than suborbital rockets. They travel at speeds between 17,500 and 25,000 miles per hour or 28,000 and 40,000 kilometers per hour.
- Interplanetary rockets leave the Earth’s orbit and orbit other celestial bodies. They travel at higher speeds, like 36000 miles an hour or 58000 kilometers an hour. Each rocket has a different speed depending on how far from the Earth its destination is.
Do Rockets Break The Sound Barrier?
All rockets break the sound barrier to achieve a speed that allows them to accelerate through the atmosphere. The sound barrier is broken soon after liftoff, and a sonic boom is experienced.
The speed of sound is 767 miles per hour.
An overview of the different types of rockets and the speeds that they can possess shows us that their speed is higher than the speed of sound by multiple folds.
Breaking the sound barrier is necessary for rockets; at speeds slower than sound, the rocket cannot leave the Earth’s atmosphere.
Risks Of Breaking The Sound Barrier
The most concerning aspect of supersonic flights is the shock wave that is produced when the sound barrier is broken.
When rockets are ill-designed and cannot handle this pressure, they pose a huge risk of damage to the rocket, people on board, and significant economic loss. The sound barrier damages the structure of the rocket and can disrupt systems.
Moreover, the sonic boom that is produced when the barrier is broken is loud and can be widely heard. The sound waves are so strong that they are capable of damaging structures and causing disturbances in other operations for people on the ground.
As a precaution, supersonic flights are taken in remote areas.
Lastly, breaking the sound barrier is demanding for the reserves of the rocket. There is increased consumption of fuel and often some wear and tear on the engine and other significant parts of the rocket.
While all of these risks exist, they are mostly a thing of the past. Rocket launches are often successful, and rocket design and manufacturing have advanced enough to make rockets that can withstand the risks of breaking the sound barrier. However, these risks still exist for other aircraft.
Do Aircraft Break The Sound Barrier?
Not all aircraft are designed to break the sound barrier due to the many risks involved. Moreover, the experience of breaking the sound barrier in an aircraft can be dangerous for the people in it unless they are fully equipped.
However, some aircraft are designed to carry out supersonic flights. Pilots who fly supersonic aircraft undergo extensive training to handle the unique challenges of flying at such high speeds. The intensity of breaking the sound barrier requires skill and training to navigate the effects of the shock waves and turbulence safely.
Final Thoughts
Breaking the sound barrier can be a disturbing and unpleasant experience for the people on the ground. However, people on manned rockets, who are part of the crew, have reported the experience as something like no other. Despite the shock wave and air pressure, the experience is exhilarating.
