NASA's Artemis II SLS Rocket Expected to Generate Sound Heard 45 Miles Away

The Artemis II mission's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust, making it the most powerful operational rocket to date. The sound from the launch may travel up to 45 miles inland, contingent on wind conditions. Comparison to previous rockets shows that the SLS will generate significantly more sound than the Space Shuttle and Saturn V rockets.

Published Mar 25, 2026

NASA's Artemis II mission will utilize the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust, nearly double that of the Space Shuttle's 5.3 million pounds. The sound from the SLS launch is expected to travel up to 45 miles inland under favorable wind conditions.

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This distance includes areas such as Downtown Orlando and Daytona Beach. The SLS features enhanced rocket boosters and four main engines, which are recycled from the Space Shuttle. Sound travel may vary due to obstacles and wind direction.