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BOOM - What was that?

"BOOM" - What was that?

A few minutes ago I heard a sonic boom as the space shuttle entered the earth's atmosphere and prepared to land at California's Edwards Air Force Base.

I knew the landing had been delayed but I forgot it was happening this afternoon.

Wow - it was really loud! The windows and glass sliders in my condo shook from the impact.

Our cat ran under the bed!

I thought we were having an earthquake - but fortunately everything was okay.

Posted by Stewart Penn - Los Angeles Condo Specialist on 09/11/2009 07:56 PM

Comments (16)

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16 Comments on BOOM - What was that?

SEP

Stewart: If only you had been outside, and were able to watch it fly overhead. I would have loved to have seen that. I remember once several years ago... I saw one of the jumbo jets NASA used to piggy-back the shuttle from California to Florida. It must have stopped in DFW for some reason... but when I saw it... with the shuttle actually piggy-backed on top of it... it was near the airport, and flying at a fairly low altitude... obviously taking off or landing. What a cool sight.

Stewart: It could have been a sonic boom or it could have been clapping and shouting for joy due to a very difficult FHA loan I just closed, :)

Is the impact really that much greater than a regular airplane?

Donna's question makes me wonder. Do commercial airplanes normally fly at speeds greater than the speed of sound... thus breaking the sound barrier ? I do not know. Obviously, the shuttle does.

Karen Anne - Apparently as the shuttle flew over Los Angeles towards Santa Monica you could see it ... unfortunately I was inside typing emails to Wells Fargo about a difficult loan:)

The Concorde used to break the sound barrier, and I know that some fighter jets do too, but I'm not sure commercial airplanes fly that fast (I think it's 1000 kns per hour).

You have piqued my curiosity so I shall do some online research.

Bill - Congratulations on your closing - BOOM!

Donna - That sonic boom was loud. Much louder than any jet I've heard fly over before!

Stewart: I am glad I piqued your curiousity. Having that happen spurs one to learn. I will look it up, too. Thanks a bunch.

From what I have read, the speed required to break the sound barrier at sea level is 741 MPH. Most commercial airliners fly at about 80% of that... which is a little under 600 MPH. Also... a commercial airliner breaking the sound barrier, again, from what I have read, would cause great stress on a plane that was not built to do that... and could cause harm.

Stewart... I'd like to know what you have found out, too.

Stewart - I have heard the boom once here in Florida. It is unbelievable how loud it is.

That's cool. It's a shame that you didn't realize so that you could have taken a look at it.

I heard the boom once, long long ago when I was a kid. I'll never forget it.

Stewart,

I used to live in LA County! I remember those sonic booms vey well! I hope the poor Kitty has relaxed by now! LOL!

Wishing you a quite and boom free weekend!!

Judy

Hi Stewart, it's been a while since I've heard a sonic-boom -- and yes, they can shake you out of your seat! Every now and then the Oregon Air Guard will scramble off to the west to intercept a incoming freighter that forgot to check in properly! John

SEP

Stewart,

I lived on air force bases for years as a kid. Sonic booms were almost a daily occurance. You became inured to it after a while.

Couldn't hear the boom up here. But we could sure see the streak in the sky -- before its descent I think.

I have heard the boom MANY times when I am in Florida visiting my parents - it's cool, isn't it???

SEP

That is really cool. I'd love the opportunity to see the shuttle in action and hear the BOOM!

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