Why rockets eject half a million gallons of water

Did you know that NASA had to use approximately half a million gallons of water in just 60 seconds to successfully launch a rocket? There are two reasons for this. Water is used in two ways: first, to aid in the rocket's launch systems, and second, to aid in the launchpad's sound and fire suppression systems.

Let’s start by explaining the first. Rockets are commonly powered by a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Therefore, some of the vapor present during a launch is caused by the supercooled liquid fuel turning into gas when the overpressure is bled off just before launch.

The second comes from ejecting massive amounts of water to mitigate the sheer amount of acoustic energy generated by a launch, which would be enough to damage the extremely expensive onboard electronic equipment.

But how does that work the water acts as a medium for the sound waves’ vibrations to travel through, resulting in the reduction of acoustical levels on launch sites to about 142 decibels, which is within an acceptable margin for a payload or spacecraft’s design requirements? Better yet, this water also helps prevent fires from starting on the launchpad.

It might seem like a lot of water to waste, but NASA is very careful about how its usage. The space agency even has a Water Resources program.

Have we piqued your curiosity? Do you want to know more about how exactly this water is used by the space agency? Do you want to see it live in action on the launch pad? Then, do not miss our video.

#engineering

[Interestingengineeringofficial]

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[solisortus]

"Stay hydrated" taken to a next level

[christophermahon]

I had no idea about the possibility of damage from sound waves. Cool.

[kornelijekovac]

3:20 Those 1, 7 million liters of water is way more than 1000 people would spend in a six days.

[andrewdegozaru]

For all those budding engineers out there, the water mitigates the risk of acoustic damage to sensitive instruments by attenuating the noise. Fascinating video. Thanks for sharing.

[jxxnmatt]

One of my passions for science is how it makes the simplicity of some things seem so great.

[SJR_Media_Group]

After the Rocket clears the Tower and is accelerating at full power, the 'sound pressure waves' of the different Rocket engine types blend together into a very unique sound. Even if you are 5 miles away, the sound is enormous. As Rocket gains altitude, there is no sound suppression system and you hear it full volume. Even when the Rocket is 25 miles up, you can still hear the engines.

[iwillnotcomply]

I live in Australia water is gold here I pay 250$ for 18 thousand litres of water.this video made my cry.

[gregpeterman]

After the first shuttle launch, the entire concrete pad had to be redone.

[FreeRiderNeal]

I'm not sure how loud Metallica got when i was at one of their concerts here in Houston in 2008 at the Toyota center, but Lars was mentioning how they hadn't been to Houston in a really long time and that we wouldn't be disappointed. To this day, that was the loudest concert that stadium has had. Toyota center placed a decibel limit for all future concerts after Metallica performed because towards the end, it started raining nuts, bolts, and screws on the crowd and stage from all of the rigging above! I remember headbanging along and a bolt about the size of my pinky hit me in the back of the head. I thought someone behind me hit me until started seeing people covering their heads with their hands. believe this is why Metallica prefers to have outdoor performances or at least a bigger venue. You could say they made it rain metal.

[keshavchaudhary.]

Questions:- IS THAT DRINKABLE OR SALTY WATER??

[LoneWolf-]

For anyone mad that the water is wasted, I would like to remind people about the phenomenon known as the water cycle it is impossible to waste water, this water will eventually evaporate and fall back as rain thus refilling the water table this is how it has worked for billions of years and will continue for a lot more. (If we stop climate change, if not the water cycle will get dusrupted due to the increased frequency of droughts) we are using the same water that the first lifeforms on Earth used. The only reason your taught to not use too much water is so you don't use water faster than the reservoirs can fill up. This is why (in the U.S) during a drought they advise against using too much water and avoid using water to wash your car as the lack of rain means that the reservoirs can dry up the water isn't gone by any means once the drought ends the reservoirs will fill up again.

[pc_dabhi]

Can i use this clip for my YouTube Videos I'll give you Credit?

[emmanuelm]

The ultimate proof that Rocket launches needs to be re-evaluated.
Just imagine 1 5 0 747 planes taking off at the same time using full power.
This is the equivalent of one large Rocket going to space.
Imagine what kind of Space Plane we could build. It could bring 10 times more resources to space and cost 100 times less than today's expenses.
Looking forward to improved Space aeronautics for future generations.

[danielngo]

What Irony. 0.41 is Russian rockets. They dont use water to dampen the sound vibration from rocket

[prestoncopenace]

Doesn't sound travel faster through water? I have so many questions!!

[alvarohelguero]

There is a thing called Water cycle dont you know?

[LobsterFishingAdventures]

Wait till they start lunches from under water in the ocean !

[ashishm]

Can they not reuse of course not all of it but at least some of it by collecting it again after the launch?

[blazingguyop]

Do they use sea water or the fresh water?
If it's fresh water then I think it's not that good