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Physics & Astronomy

Department Features

Department Features

Current research and activities in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

It's not...wait, it IS rocket science!
Members of the BYU Acoustics Research Group have been involved with multiple projects intended to characterize the noise radiated from large rocket plumes. The photo shown is from a GEM-60 test at ATK in Feb. 2009. For the sake of scale, the visible afterburning plume extends about 125 ft from the nozzle. (Photo credit, ATK). Undeterred by below-freezing temperatures prior to the test, BYU recorded the noise produced by the motor as close as 30 ft from the edge of the plume and as far away as 1000 ft.

In Aug. 2009, BYU ARG members will participate in the ARES DM-1 test at ATK. Various types of microphones will be placed near the rocket plume. The 5-stage solid rocket motor will provide greater thrust than the 3-million-lb-thrust Shuttle boosters and will eventually be used to propel NASA's new Crew Launch Vehicle during the first two minutes of flight.

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