Launch Sound Level Comparisons

Sound Pressure Level

                                    SPL (dBA)
      SOURCE                     (ref. 3e-09 psi)      p(rms) psi
    ------------------------        -----------       -----------
    Shuttle Liftoff @ 50 ft          175                 1.6
    Threshold of Pain                120                 0.003
    Boeing 727 Takeoff (@500 ft)     100                 0.0003
    Busy Street Traffic               80                 0.00003

Sound Power Level

    Source                           PWL(db)          Sound Power 
                                  (Ref: 1e-13 W)        (Watts)
    ----------------              -------------       -------------  
    Shuttle Liftoff                ~200               20-40e+06
    Boeing 727                     ~160               10,000
    Busy Street Traffic            ~110                     .01