NASA Clarifies Origin of Mysterious Noises from Starliner Spacecraft

The enigma surrounding the “strange noises” reported by NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft has been resolved, according to an announcement from the space agency on Monday.

Incident Reported from the International Space Station

Astronaut Butch Wilmore first alerted Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston about a pulsating sound emanating from the spacecraft’s speaker.

This report came just days before Starliner was scheduled to make an uncrewed return to Earth. On Saturday, Wilmore’s observations prompted NASA to investigate the unusual auditory phenomenon.

NASA’s Findings on the Sound

NASA later confirmed through a social media statement that the pulsing sound had ceased and attributed it to an audio configuration issue between the space station and the Starliner.

NASA stated, “The space station audio system is complex, allowing multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and it is common to experience noise and feedback.”

This investigation revealed that the feedback Wilmore reported posed no technical risk to the crew or mission operations.

Feedback’s Impact on Operations

NASA explained, “The crew is instructed to contact Mission Control whenever they hear unusual sounds originating from the comm system. The speaker feedback has no technical implications for crew safety or mission timelines.”

As such, Starliner is still expected to undock from the International Space Station no earlier than Friday, Sept. 6.

Upcoming Starliner Mission Goals

The mysterious sound incident coincides with Starliner’s plans for an empty undocking and return to Earth, with expectations for a safe touchdown in the New Mexico desert.

Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams, who have been stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) since June, will remain in orbit until February. This extended duration arises from NASA’s concerns regarding the risks of bringing the pilots back via Starliner.

Alternative Plans for Astronaut Return

Currently, the agency is preparing to return both astronauts using a SpaceX capsule instead. This decision swaps previous arrangements for a weeklong Starliner mission. The prolonged mission arose from complications, including thruster failures and helium leaks.

Boeing’s Starliner Developments

Boeing had aimed to use Starling’s initial crewed mission as a pivotal moment to revitalize its space program after a series of challenges, including delays and increased costs. Despite these setbacks, Boeing maintained confidence in Starliner’s safety based on favorable recent thruster tests conducted both in space and on the ground.

Looking Ahead: Safety and Reliability

As NASA continues to investigate and monitor the systems aboard the Starliner, it remains committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of its crewed missions. The agency emphasizes that communication between crew and control is vital for navigating unexpected situations in space.

The incidents and responses underscore NASA’s dedication to transparent operations while managing complex missions in the ever-challenging environment of low Earth orbit.

This report draws on contributions from Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz and The Associated Press.