A study conducted by Rollins College aims to establish a baseline for the sound and vibration levels associated with rocket launches on the Space Coast. Whitney Coyle, a physics professor at Rollins, led the research alongside students through the college's Collaborative Research Fellowship Program, which was commissioned by the city of Cape Canaveral.
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The team deployed sensors at five locations to gather data on 34 launches and booster landings from October 2025 to May 2026. Among the findings, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket generated the highest peak sound pressure. Notably, the loudest event recorded was a sonic boom from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy booster, which did not translate to a particularly high decibel measurement.
Additionally, the research indicated that large sliding glass doors vibrated more than small windows during launches. Air quality measurements throughout the study remained within federal daily limits.