Empirical Verification of an Acoustic Estimation of a Rocket Engine : A Comparison Between Estimated and Measured Noise of a Rocket Engine

Abstract: The noise of a rocket engine is a complex and complicated phenomenon which has been studied for more than half a century [1]. There are many sources to this noise, but due to its great potential impact to the surrounding structures, including the vehicle itself, it is important to have a model to estimate the acoustic environment the engine produces. This estimation can be used for the design of a launch pad or a flame deflector. Such a model was developed and then tested, by measuring the noise levels with six microphones at Rocket Factory Augsburg´s Vertical Test Stand at Esrange Space Centre. Three out of six microphones yielded valuable data. A comparison between the estimated and measured noise was then conducted which showed similar trends. The peak frequency in the estimation was in the order of 1 kHz. A sensitivity study was made to investigate the difference in Sound Power Level (SPL) when the engine and test stand parameters were adjusted. The parameters with the greatest effect on the SPL are the Mach number, thrust, potential core length, and impingement distance. The difference in SPL between the estimation and measured noise is 0-20 dB with a lower difference at lower frequencies and a higher difference at higher frequencies. The difference was higher when comparing the estimation to the test with an overpowered engine, with differences of up to 20 dB higher than the estimation in the upper frequencies. Differences with nominal engine data was up to 15 dB higher than the estimation, constrained to lower frequencies. Above 30% of the peak frequency, the noise was consistently lower than the estimation. The estimation can be concluded to likely be conservative at higher frequencies, further testing or a new estimation is necessary with accurate engine data.