SpaceX Starship’s Sonic Boom Creates Risk of Structural Damage, Test Finds

Published On Nov 18, 2024, 3:05 PM

An independent study revealed that SpaceX's Starship rocket produces significantly higher noise levels than anticipated, comparable to standing 200 feet away from a Boeing 747 during takeoff. This noise level poses potential risks of property damage to residential areas near the launch site in South Texas, where communities experienced sonic booms during the October test flight. The Starship generates ten times the noise of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and is the largest rocket built to date. The upcoming test is expected to continue generating high noise levels, raising concerns about community impact and regulatory responses.