DanielT
Major Contributor
Fascinating speaker:Killing with sound - reminds of of that great Kate Bush song.
What is it for?
Anyone who has witnessed a rocket launch is struck by the amount of noise produced by it – even when standing several kilometres from the launch pad. Of course a satellite on top of its launcher is exposed to much higher levels of acoustic noise. Long before it gets to that stage its designers have to test that the satellite can withstand such a sustained sound.
The largest European facility of its kind, ESA's Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF) is a test chamber measuring 11 m wide by 9 m deep and 16.4 m high. Its walls are made of steel-reinforced concrete 0.5 m thick to contain the sound and are coated with a thick coating of epoxy resin to reduce noise absorption and increase internal reverberation.
What are its features?
The noise generation system consists of four different horns with low cut-off frequencies of respectively 25, 35, 80 and 160 hertz complemented by three high-frequency noise generators. A maximum overall noise level of up to 156 decibels can be achieved: provisions have been implemented to extend the level up to 158.5 decibels.Wondering if there is a known speaker manufacturer that has been involved in that project? Anyone know anything about that? Otherwise, out of sheer curiosity, I see that the link contains contact information. I email and ask.
Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF)
www.esa.int