NASA has addressed recent concerns regarding “strange noises” heard by astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The issue, first reported by Wilmore, involved pulsating sounds emanating through the spacecraft’s speakers.
The Starliner spacecraft is currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS) and is scheduled to return to Earth on September 7. NASA clarified that the noises were caused by an audio configuration problem between the ISS and the Starliner.
In a statement, NASA explained that the ISS features a complex audio system designed to connect various spacecraft and modules. Occasional noise and feedback are common due to this intricate setup. The agency assured that the audio feedback had no adverse effects on the crew, the spacecraft, or the station’s operations.
NASA elaborated that the feedback issue, which affected a speaker on the Starliner, has since been resolved. They emphasized that such audio feedback is a typical occurrence in complex space communication systems.
The space agency further clarified that astronauts are instructed to report any unusual sounds originating from the communication system to mission control. The reported feedback did not impact the crew or spacecraft operations, including the planned undocking of the Starliner.
Following its undocking, the Starliner will execute an autonomous landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, about six hours after departure. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, who arrived at the ISS on June 5 as part of Boeing’s Crew Flight Test mission, are scheduled to return to Earth in a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025.
NASA’s explanation underscores the complexities of managing communication systems in space and reassures the public of the safety and functionality of their missions.