Close guess - rocket engines are so loud that launch pads and test stands almost always need a water deluge system to stop them from self-destructing. If you have enough water in the way, the energy from the sound waves gets dissipated to a more reasonable (but still probably fatal) level.
Yeah I went back and watched a RocketLab launch and the Artemis II launch and neither have a very good view of under the rocket so I'm guessing it's just not easy to see.
6 Comments
Dave@lemmy.nz · 4 pts · 108d
I'm OOTL, what's the context? Testing of some new engine?
The stuff spraying up to the left, is that part of the engine or some sort of suppression system so they don't light the building on fire?
Panq@lemmy.nz · 5 pts · 108d
Close guess - rocket engines are so loud that launch pads and test stands almost always need a water deluge system to stop them from self-destructing. If you have enough water in the way, the energy from the sound waves gets dissipated to a more reasonable (but still probably fatal) level.
Dave@lemmy.nz · 5 pts · 108d
Ah, so do they do this for the launches too? I can't remember seeing water sprayed at the rocket but maybe I didn't know what to look for.
Panq@lemmy.nz · 4 pts · 108d
Underneath the rocket for a launch, so probably less noticeable than all the fire and smoke.
Dave@lemmy.nz · 2 pts · 108d
Yeah I went back and watched a RocketLab launch and the Artemis II launch and neither have a very good view of under the rocket so I'm guessing it's just not easy to see.
PancakesCantKillMe@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 108d
That was very cool.