NASA Astronaut Reports Unusual Sounds from Boeing Starliner Capsule

A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has reported hearing a “strange noise” emanating from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. This revelation comes just days before the capsule is scheduled to leave the ISS and return to Earth autonomously.

Incident Details

On Saturday, astronaut Butch Wilmore communicated with Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston regarding the peculiar sound. During the exchange, Wilmore held up a phone to the speakers, allowing Mission Control to listen to the unsettling noise.

An audio recording captured the moment, revealing a pulsating sound that echoed at consistent intervals. Mission Control confirmed, “Butch, that one came through. It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping.” This response indicated that the team had not heard the noise initially.

Investigation of the Sound

Wilmore assured Mission Control he would play the sound again so they could further analyze the situation. After doing so, he stated, “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.” Mission Control took note, promising to investigate the source of the noise and relay findings back to him.

Wilmore clarified that the sound originated from a speaker inside the Starliner. This bizarre occurrence was first reported by Ars Technica, which cited a recording initially shared by Michigan-based meteorologist Rob Dale.

Awaiting Answers from NASA and Boeing

Fox News Digital has since reached out to both Mission Control and Boeing to determine whether the source of the strange noise has been identified. As the situation unfolds, many are eager for updates on this unusual occurrence from the spacecraft.

Starliner Mission Details

The Starliner capsule is scheduled to undock from the ISS and will attempt to return on autopilot, with plans for a touchdown in the New Mexico desert. However, NASA has decided it is too risky to bring back astronauts Wilmore and Suni Williams until February. Initially, they were slated to return on a weeklong mission in early June, but this mission has faced numerous challenges, including thruster failures and helium leaks.

Boeing’s Starliner Program Challenges

Boeing had hoped that Starliner’s first crewed flight would revitalize the troubled spacecraft program. Years of delays and escalating costs have plagued the initiative. Despite various setbacks, the company has maintained that Starliner is safe, citing recent successful thruster tests conducted both in space and on the ground.

Future Implications

The emergence of this auditory anomaly raises questions about the spacecraft’s reliability as it prepares for its upcoming mission. Furthermore, it underscores the challenges faced by Boeing and NASA in ensuring the safety and efficacy of future space travel.

As the investigation into the source of the strange sounds progresses, both organizations will likely prioritize communication and updates to the public, along with thorough examinations of the Starliner’s systems.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.