title: Analysis and modeling of infrasound from a four-stage rocket launch.
abstract: Infrasound from a four-stage sounding rocket was recorded by several arrays within 100 km of the launch pad. Propagation modeling methods have been applied to the known trajectory to predict infrasonic signals at the ground in order to identify what information might be obtained from such observations. There is good agreement between modeled and observed back azimuths, and predicted arrival times for motor ignition signals match those observed. The signal due to the high-altitude stage ignition is found to be low amplitude, despite predictions of weak attenuation. This lack of signal is possibly due to inefficient aeroacoustic coupling in the rarefied upper atmosphere.
authors.affiliation: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.affiliation: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marcillo
authors.affiliation: Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87321, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arrowsmith