The Sonic Boom Dilemma: Should We Be Worried About SpaceX's Starship Rocket?

In October, the skies over South Texas witnessed an extraordinary event as SpaceX's Super Heavy rocket booster, towering at the height of a 20-story building, successfully returned to Earth after launch. This remarkable feat, part of the Starship program— hailed as the most powerful rocket system ever designed— captivated viewers worldwide, especially those who watched its precision landing live. However, an unexpected shockwave followed its descent: a deafening sonic boom that echoed prominently for miles around.

Noah Pulsipher, an undergraduate in applied physics at Brigham Young University and coauthor of a study on this phenomenon, experienced the thunderous boom firsthand. "It truly was one of the loudest things I’ve ever heard," he remarked, likening it to a gunshot heard up close, emphasizing the sheer volume that left residents feeling both stunned and curious.

Research published in *JASA Express Letters* indicates that these sonic booms could cause potential issues, primarily concerning structural damage and hearing loss for those residing near the Gulf of Mexico, where the SpaceX launch site, Starbase, is situated. So far, SpaceX has completed six test flights of the Starship, with the recent October launch being the only one to have successfully delivered a Super Heavy booster back to earth.

With upcoming test flights on the horizon, the prospect of these sonic booms becoming a regular occurrence raises a few eyebrows among scientists and local residents alike. For instance, Dr. Victor Sparrow, an expert in acoustics from Penn State University, cautioned that while the immediate physical damage seemed negligible after the recent launch, the continuous nature of these events could pose a problem for community members sensitive to noise.

Historically, sonic booms have lingered in the public consciousness since the era of supersonic air travel. As objects break the sound barrier—typically around 767 miles per hour—the intense pressure difference created results in shock waves that manifest as sharp claps of noise. The Concorde, known for its speed but also criticized for the disturbances it caused, ultimately faced its downfall due to this very issue.

Pulsipher and his colleagues have highlighted that the noise levels generated by the Starship system may be equivalent to ten Falcon 9 launches, a testament to the Super Heavy’s larger size. During the October landing, the sonic boom reached up to 146 decibels in some areas—notably lethal for hearing without protection—and had enough power to shake buildings and trigger car alarms.

Local communities face additional challenges too. Boca Chica Village, a neighborhood near the launch site, remains home to a few residents despite SpaceX's acquisition of most properties. These individuals may find themselves vulnerable to the repercussions of frequent sonic booms. The FAA stipulates that SpaceX maintains insurance to cover any claims of damage from such events.

Furthermore, the sonic booms could have effects on local wildlife, as documented incidents indicate that animals often react with alarm during such disturbances. Dogs barking wildly and deer scattering were observed during the October launch—spiraling stress responses among wildlife could have unknown long-term consequences.

Despite Elon Musk’s assurances that such phenomena are often exaggerated and pose minimal risk, researchers urge for more thorough monitoring and assessment of sonic boom impacts. The Brigham Young study collected data from various distances, yet only a single successful landing has been recorded thus far. “We need more data,” says lead author Kent Gee. "Much of the noise comes from the unique landing maneuvers, so as SpaceX scales up its launches—potentially to hundreds annually—the environmental impact will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized."

As SpaceX strives to position Starship as a forerunner for interplanetary travel—envisioning missions to Mars and the moon with NASA’s support—the public’s embrace of these sonic booms as heralds of technological advancement will be pivotal. The fate of SpaceX's ambitious launch schedule hinges not only on the rocket's capability but also on community acceptance and regulatory responsiveness to potential disturbances.

While many are excited about the future of space exploration, it is critical to navigate the balance between progress and local impact. As the countdown to more Starship flights begins, only time will tell whether these sonic booms will be celebrated or protested in the communities surrounding SpaceX’s launch site. One thing remains clear: as innovation continues to propel us to the stars, the sound of progress will echo—loud and clear.