why when a spaceshuttle reenters the atmosphere is creates a double sonic boom?

Answer 1

the shuttle creates a sonic boom when it exceeds or decelerates through the sound barrier (Mach 1 or 761 mph). all planes do. the reason that the shuttle creates a double sonic boom is because it creates one at the nose and at the tail upon re-entry.

Answer 2

Sonic booms are created by air pressure. Much like a boat pushes up a bow wave as it travels through the water, a vehicle pushes air molecules aside in such a way they are compressed to the point where shock waves are formed.

These shock waves form two cones, at the nose as well as at the tail of the vehicle. The shock waves move outward and rearward in all directions and usually extend to the ground. As the shock cones spread across the landscape along the flightpath, they create a continuous sonic boom along the full width of the cone's base. The sharp release of pressure, after the buildup by the shock wave, is heard as the sonic boom.

The nose and tail shock waves are usually of similar strength. The time interval between the nose and tail shock waves is primarily dependent on the size of the aircraft and its altitude. Most people on the ground cannot distinguish between the two and they are usually heard as a single sonic boom. As the time interval increases, two booms are heard. A small fighter-type aircraft about 50 ft long will generate nose and tail shock waves of less than a tenth of a second (0.1 sec). The ear usually detects these as a single sonic boom.

The interval between nose and tail shock waves on the Space Shuttles, which are 122 ft long, is about one-half of a second (0.50 sec), making the double boom very distinguishable.

Answer 3

My x father in law designed the shuttle
But the heck if i know
maybe because it comes in at an angel
at such a fast speed,going thru differing levels of air pressure on the craft

Answer 4

might be becuz it re-enters with supersonic speeds which result in producing shock waves.