On June 6, 2024, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are greeted by the crew aboard the International Space Station. AP Photo
NASA has identified the source of a puzzling, pulsating sound reported by astronaut Butch Wilmore while aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which is currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The strange noise, coming from a speaker in the spacecraft, was a concern for both the astronauts and space enthusiasts.
Wilmore, one of the two NASA astronauts stranded in space due to issues with the Starliner, noticed the unusual sound recently. This delay in their return to Earth has been caused by technical problems with the Starliner capsule. NASA addressed the issue in a statement on social media, clarifying that the sound had no impact on the spacecraft's operations or the safety of the crew. They assured that the noise would not affect Starliner's planned undocking from the ISS, which is scheduled for no earlier than Friday, September 6.
The noise was traced to an audio configuration issue between the ISS and the Starliner. NASA explained that the audio system on the space station is quite complex. It allows multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and experiencing noise and feedback is not uncommon in such a setup. The feedback from the speaker was merely an artifact of this intricate system.
Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, known for his previous space missions, also voiced his concerns about the noise. On social media, Hadfield shared a video capturing the pulsing sound and expressed his discomfort with such noises inside a spacecraft. Despite his concerns, NASA's explanation reassured the public that there was no immediate threat or malfunction caused by the sound.
Wilmore and his fellow astronaut, Suni Williams, were Boeing’s first crew to fly aboard the Starliner. Their mission, initially planned for just a week in June, has been extended due to technical difficulties. Their return to Earth was initially delayed until February. The postponement is due to ongoing issues with the Starliner, including problems with its thrusters and helium leaks. To ensure the astronauts' safety, NASA decided it was too risky to have them return on the Starliner as planned. Consequently, NASA reallocated space on an upcoming SpaceX rocket mission, which will now include Williams and Wilmore.
As for the Starliner, the empty capsule is expected to depart from the ISS and land in the New Mexico desert as early as Friday. This mission aims to address and rectify the technical issues encountered during its time in space. The situation has underscored the challenges and complexities of space missions, especially when dealing with advanced spacecraft systems.
