EFFECTS OF SONIC BOOM ON PEOPLE: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, 1961-1962

EFFECTS OF SONIC BOOM ON PEOPLE: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, 1961-1962
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 12
Release: 1965
Genre:
ISBN:

The vicinity of St. Louis, Missouri, was exposed to approximately 150 sonic booms during a 10-month period from July 1961 to April 1962. Ground overpressures, ranging up to about 3 lb/sq ft, were carefully measured for a series of 17 of the supersonic flights. Data obtained from over 2300 direct interviews, analyses of complaints, and engineering evaluations of alleged damage were related to information on aircraft operations and sonic-boom overpressure measurements. Most residents interviewed indicated some interference with routine living activities, yet less than 1% filed formal complaints. Alleged building damage was superficial in nature and consisted mostly of cracks in brittle surfaces. There were no reports of direct adverse physiological effects.

Commercial Supersonic Technology

Commercial Supersonic Technology
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2002-02-16
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309082773

High-speed flight is a major technological challenge for both commercial and business aviation. As a first step in revitalizing efforts by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to achieve the technology objective of high-speed air travel, NASA requested the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct a study that would identify approaches for achieving breakthroughs in research and technology for commercial supersonic aircraft. Commercial Supersonic Technology documents the results of that effort. This report describes technical areas where ongoing work should be continued and new focused research initiated to enable operational deployment of an environmentally acceptable, economically viable commercial aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight, including flight over land, at speeds up to approximately Mach 2 in the next 25 years or less.