Shockwaves Visible as ATLAS V Rocket Carrying SDO Breaks Sound Barrier

Very rare view of shockwave created by the Atlas V rocket as it broke the sound barrier and passed through a cloud layer. You can see a shadow emerge as the rocket approaches the bottom of the cloud layer and then ripples are visable as the rocket passes through the cloud layer. NASA had over 15 cameras recording the launch but only this angle showed the shockwave.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Shockwaves
• Visible
• ATLAS
• Rocket
• Carrying
• SDO
• Breaks
• Sound
• Barrier

[trungiee]

Cool. Nice video. But isn't it spelt "Visible"?

[skirack9]

You are correct, thanks for catching that for me.

[cwmika]

I was there to see the launch and the ripples in the cloud layer. They moved through the clouds as if someone had tossed a pebble into a still pool. It was very cool.

[Heksu77]

It should be noted, that the shock waves are not created by "breaking the sound barrier". Instead they are caused by the rocket *travelling through the cloud faster than sound*. While flying, the rocket drags cone-shaped shock waves through the cirrus cloud, and the waves seen in the sundog are circular sections of the conical shock waves.

[wobblefluff]

Orsum. 

[SlimMrJim]

that is surreal!

[catalinaumbert]

@trungiee Isn't it spelt "spelled"??

[jimo1150]

@TheArfdog if you're American, yes!

[decemberdazzle]

THAT IS SO COOL! Really really awesome! XD XD XD

[thepretenda]

Snell's Law is awesome!

[Radqq]

Similar shockwaves in clouds are visible in Apollo 11 launch. Check "Apollo 11 Launch Footage Montage" here on youtube.

[drewbaloo513]

@trungiee isn't it spelled "spelled"?

[arlik100]

@belovedwarrior you wrote: "So you're saying that NASA is faking sonic booms?

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well, since Atlas V rocket is propelled by Russian made RD-180 engines (google) which USA buys in Russia you should redirect your joke to Moscow, rather then NASA

[Liquadia]

@Heksu77 I thought travelling through something faster than sound would indicate you are breaking the SOUND barrier? you contradicted yourself