The Sonics of Space: Exploring the Soundscape of Rocket Launches

By AIP Publishing — November 2025

Rocket launches are some of the most awe-inspiring spectacles our planet offers — the fiery blast-off, the roar of engines, and the momentous shake that can be felt far beyond the launch pad. But what exactly do these incredible events sound like, especially to those living nearby? And how loud do they really get? 

Recent research sheds light on this very question, revealing that the sonic booms created by rockets — like the popular Falcon 9 from SpaceX — are not just loud, they can have a significant impact on surrounding communities.  

The Falcon 9, which has been used for over 400 launches since 2010, often takes off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. While the launch itself is a dramatic spectacle, residents in nearby areas such as Ventura County sometimes notice the ground shaking and hear deep booms echoing through the landscape — sounds that resemble small earthquakes more than typical noise.  

Brigham Young University physicist Kent Gee explains that the sonic boom from a rocket is quite different from those produced by supersonic aircraft. "Rocket sonic booms are mostly at a very low frequency — less than 1 Hertz — which means they’re often below the range of what we can consciously hear. Instead, they manifest as rattles or vibrations that shake homes and windows," he says. 

During the summer of 2024, a team of researchers from BYU and California State University, Bakersfield, carefully measured 132 rocket sonic booms across a 200-square-mile area. Their findings showed that the strength and impact of these booms can vary greatly depending on weather conditions, the rocket’s trajectory, the time of day, and even the season.  

“Keen observers in communities near Edwards Air Force Base, a hub for supersonic aircraft testing, are familiar with sonic booms,” Kellison notes. “But rockets create a different kind of blast — lower in frequency, more felt than heard, and capable of causing the sensation of a mini earthquake inside homes.”  

Understanding these sonic signatures isn’t just of interest to scientists; it’s vital for the safety and comfort of communities, and it can help inform how launch operations are managed in the future. By getting a clearer picture of what these booms entail, researchers hope to guide policy decisions that balance technological progress with community well-being. 

As space companies prepare for more frequent launches in the years ahead, this kind of research is crucial. After all, the roar of rockets is now a part of modern life, connecting us to the universe — but it’s also essential that it remains safe and sustainable for everyone nearby.