nasa astronauts strange noises NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore recently reported an unsettling discovery aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS). During a routine check, Wilmore alerted Mission Control to a peculiar noise coming from the spacecraft’s speakers, describing it as a “strange noise” and expressing uncertainty about its source.
The Mystery Sound Aboard Starliner
On August 31, Wilmore contacted Mission Control at Johnson Space Center, describing the sound as a pulsating noise that occurred at regular intervals. He held a device to the spacecraft’s speakers, allowing Mission Control to hear the sound firsthand. The team in Houston compared the noise to a “pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping.”
Despite the unusual noise, Wilmore remained calm and composed, telling Mission Control, “All right, over to you, call us if you figure it out.” The recording of the sound has been shared with the technical team for further analysis.
Public Reaction and Expert Commentary
The strange noise quickly gained attention beyond NASA’s control room. Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield shared the recording on X (formerly Twitter), commenting on the unsettling nature of the sound. “There are several noises I’d prefer not to hear inside my spaceship, including this one that Boeing Starliner is now making,” Hadfield wrote.
The initial report of the noise came from Ars Technica, referencing a recording shared by Michigan-based meteorologist Rob Dale on the NASA Spaceflight (NSF) forum. The exact nature and source of the noise remain under investigation.
Starliner’s Mission and Challenges
Starliner, which launched on June 5 for its first crewed mission, successfully docked with the ISS on June 6. The mission, initially planned for around ten days, faced delays due to a thruster issue. As a result, NASA and Boeing decided to extend the spacecraft’s stay in orbit.
However, the spacecraft encountered additional challenges, leading NASA to reassess the safety of returning astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard Starliner. Instead, the astronauts will return to Earth in a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025. The Starliner capsule will return uncrewed, with its undocking scheduled no earlier than 6:04 p.m. EDT (2204 GMT) on September 6, and it will land in White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, six hours later.
Moving Forward
As investigations into the mysterious noise continue, both NASA and Boeing are working to resolve the issue and ensure the spacecraft’s safe return. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of space travel and the importance of meticulous monitoring and troubleshooting in space missions.
The Starliner mission’s complexities underscore the need for robust safety protocols and constant vigilance in space exploration. While the unusual noise aboard the spacecraft raises questions, it also serves as a reminder of the intricate and often unpredictable nature of space missions.
