Rocket exhaust generates a significant amount of acoustic energy. As the #supersonic exhaust collides with the ambient air, shock waves are formed. Without the sound suppression system, acoustic waves would #reflect off of the #LaunchPad towards the #rocket. These acoustic waves can be so severe as to #damage or destroy the rocket. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket#Flight

🔥 Flame deflectors or flame trenches are designed to channel rocket exhaust away from the #LaunchPad but also #redirect acoustic energy away https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_suppression_system

#FlameTrench

A #FlameTrench 🔥 https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/tags/aeroway=flame_trench usually channels the #rocket exhaust away from the #LaunchPad

📆 June 26, 2008 The thrust from #SpaceShuttle #Discovery's engines blasted 3,500 bricks 🧱 from the wall and left them strewn across 457 meters between the #FlameTrench and the pad's perimeter fence https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25400117