Strange Noises Emanate from Starliner Spacecraft, Raising Concerns at ISS

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore reported an unsettling "pulsating noise" coming from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft docked at the International Space Station (ISS). Mission Control likened the sound to a "sonar ping," prompting an investigation into its source.

A NASA astronaut at the International Space Station (ISS) has reported hearing an enigmatic "strange noise" emanating from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. This occurrence, reported just days before the spacecraft's scheduled departure and return to Earth on autopilot, has raised concerns among mission controllers.

Strange Noises Emanate from Starliner Spacecraft, Raising Concerns at ISS

On Saturday, astronaut Butch Wilmore radioed Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston to inquire about the noise. Wilmore held up a phone to the speakers, allowing Mission Control to audibly experience the pulsating sound emanating from the spacecraft.

"Butch, that one came through," Mission Control acknowledged. "It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping."

Strange Noises Emanate from Starliner Spacecraft, Raising Concerns at ISS

Wilmore responded, "I’ll do it one more time and let you all scratch your heads and see if you can figure out what’s going on," before playing the sound again.

Mission Control assured Wilmore that the recording would be analyzed and shared with experts for further evaluation. Wilmore clarified that the sound originated from a speaker within the Starliner.

Strange Noises Emanate from Starliner Spacecraft, Raising Concerns at ISS

The unusual sound was first brought to light by meteorologist Rob Dale, who captured and shared a recording on social media.

NASA's Boeing crew flight test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are currently aboard the ISS, are scheduled to return to Earth in February. The original mission plan called for a weeklong trip in early June, but it was extended due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft.

Boeing had hoped that Starliner's first crewed mission would revitalize the troubled spacecraft program after years of delays and escalating costs. The company maintained that Starliner was safe based on extensive thruster testing in space and on the ground.

The source of the strange noise remains a mystery, and Mission Control and Boeing are actively investigating the matter. This incident highlights the challenges and uncertainties of space exploration, where unexpected events can arise, prompting quick and diligent responses from engineers and astronauts.