Rockets produce a lot of heat and sound as they launch. NASA releases 450,000 gallons of water druing liftoff to absorb the energy expelled.
When you think of a rocket launch, you likely imagine a massive explosion of flames and smoke expanding across the launch site as the propulsion systems hurl thousands of tons of metal into space. What few probably don’t realize is the fact that there is also a small waterfall pumped out beneath the rocket before liftoff. Just moments before launch, NASA can release up to 450,000 gallons of water, which is roughly two-thirds the amount that fills an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
This water is necessary because the noise produced during liftoff is unimaginably loud. We’re talking about a wall of sound that can top 200 decibels, which is far louder than a jet engine or a thunderclap. In addition to the heat produced by the launch, the sound itself is powerful enough to shake electronics into failure or tear apart pieces of the rocket.
