The Sound Suppression System includes an elevated water tank with a capacity of 300,000 gallons (1,135,620 liters). The tank is 290 feet (88 meters) high and is located adjacent to each pad. The water releases just prior to the ignition of the Shuttle engines, and flows through 7-foot-diameter (2.1-meter) pipes for about 20 seconds. Water pours from 16 nozzles atop the flame deflectors and from outlets in the main engines exhaust hole in the Mobile Launcher Platform, starting at T minus 6.6 seconds. By the time the solid rocket boosters ignite, a torrent of water will be flowing onto the Mobile Launcher Platform from six large quench nozzles, or "rainbirds," mounted on its surface.

The rainbirds are 12 feet (3.7 meters) high. The two in the center are 42 inches (107 centimeters) in diameter; the other four have a 30-inch (76-centimeter) diameter.

The peak rate of flow from all sources is 900,000 gallons (3,406,860 liters) of water per minute at 9 seconds after liftoff.

Acoustical levels reach their peak when the Space Shuttle is about 300 feet (91 meters) above the Platform, and cease to be a problem at an altitude of about 1,000 feet (305 meters).

There are two primary components to this acoustic energy suppression system. A water spray system provides a cushion of water which is directed into the flame hole directly beneath each booster. A series of water bags stretched across the flame holes, providing a water mass to dampen the reflected pressure pulse, supplements this effort. Used together, this water barrier blocks the path of the reflected pressure wave from the boosters, greatly decreasing its intensity.

In the event of an aborted mission, a Post-Shutdown Engine Deluge System will cool the aft end of the orbiter. It also controls the burning of residual hydrogen gas after the Shuttle's main engines have been shut down with the vehicle on the pad. There are 22 nozzles around the exhaust hole for the main engines within the Mobile Launcher Platform. Fed by a 6-inch-diameter (15-centimeter) supply line, water flows at a rate up to 2,500 gallons (9,463.5 liters) per minute.