The parameters of shock acoustic waves generated during rocket launches

We investigate the form and dynamics of shock acoustic waves (SAW) generated during the launching of rockets Proton and Soyuz from the Baikonur cosmodrome in 1998–2000. In spite of the difference of geophysical conditions, the ionospheric response for all launchings had the character of an N-wave with a period of about 300 s and with an amplitude far exceeding background fluctuations. The angle of elevation of the SAW wave vector varies from 30° to 65°, and the SAW phase velocity (800–1200 m/s) approaches the sound velocity at heights of the ionospheric F region maximum. The position of the SAW source, inferred by neglecting refraction corrections, corresponds to the segment of the rocket path at a distance no less than 700–900 km from the launch pad, which is consistent with the estimated delay time of SAW source triggering (250–300 s).