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NASA Astronaut Reports Mysterious Noises from Troubled Starliner Capsule Ahead of Return
A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) reported hearing a strange noise emanating from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on Saturday. This unusual discovery comes just days before the Starliner is scheduled to leave the station and return to Earth on autopilot.
Communication with Mission Control
The astronaut, Butch Wilmore, prompted immediate inquiry with Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston regarding the peculiar sound. During this communication, an audio recording was made to capture the noise.
In the recorded exchange, Wilmore held up a phone to the speakers so that Mission Control could hear what he was describing. A steady, pulsating sound resonated, creating a sense of urgency around the situation.
Mission Control’s Initial Reaction
“Butch, that one came through,” Mission Control responded after initially failing to detect the noise. They described it as a pulsating sound, akin to a sonar ping.
Wilmore, eager for clarity, replied, “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,” replaying the enigmatic sound for their evaluation.
The Mission Control team informed Wilmore that they would pass the recording along and keep him updated on their findings.
Identifying the Source of the Noise
Wilmore noted that the source of the sound was coming from a speaker inside the Starliner. This bizarre noise was initially highlighted by Ars Technica, which referenced a recording shared by Michigan-based meteorologist Rob Dale.
As the investigation into the strange sound continues, Fox News Digital has reached out to both Mission Control and Boeing for further insight regarding the identification of the noise’s source.
The Starliner’s Upcoming Autopilot Mission
The Starliner is positioned to undock from the ISS empty and execute an autopilot return, aiming for a safe touchdown in the New Mexico desert.
NASA has deemed it too risky to bring back Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams until February of the following year. The astronauts originally planned for a weeklong mission starting in early June, but have faced numerous setbacks due to thruster failures and helium leaks.
Challenges Facing Boeing’s Starliner Program
This mission was critical for Boeing as it aimed to revitalize the troubled Starliner spacecraft program, which has faced years of delays and escalating costs. Despite setbacks, Boeing has maintained that the Starliner is safe, bolstered by recent thruster tests conducted both in space and on the ground.
The recent incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with space travel. As the space community awaits further updates, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and success of the upcoming missions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
