Space Horn

Space Horn

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) huge horn is part of the most powerful sound system in Europe.

But, according to the agency, no human can survive hearing it when it is turned to its maximum volume. 

Instead, the massive machine, which is used to blast satellites and spacecraft with sound, is shut away behind reinforced walls.

ESA's Large European Acoustic Facility (Leaf) is used to subject satellites to the same level of noise as a rocket makes when it takes off and flies though the atmosphere.

It is housed at ESA’s ESTEC Test centre where there is a collection of spaceflight simulation facilities, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

One wall of the sound chamber that houses the massive horn stands 16.4metres tall and 11metres wide by nine metres deep.

Nitrogen shot through the horns can produce a range of noise up to more than 154 Decibels – which is like standing close to multiple jets taking off.

hat level of noise is more than enough to permanently deafen a human.

To prevent this from happening, it can only be operated when all the safety doors are closed – so that no human will ever hear the true power of the vast stereo system.

Steel-reinforced concrete walls are used to safely contain its noise.

They are coated with epoxy resin to reflect noise to produce a uniform sound field within the chamber. 

The room of sound is also supported on rubber bearing pads to isolate it from its surroundings.