NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, have reported experiencing a repetitive “pulsing sound” originating from the spacecraft. The astronauts reached out to NASA’s ground crew on Saturday, seeking assistance with the unexpected noise.
According to audio recordings between the astronauts and Mission Control in Houston, the sound was described as feedback from a speaker within the Starliner. NASA Commercial Crew confirmed on X that the pulsing sound has since ceased.
“A pulsing sound from a speaker in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, heard by NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station, has stopped,” NASA Commercial Crew stated.
The agency explained that the feedback was the result of an audio configuration between the space station and the Starliner. “The space station audio system is complex, allowing multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and it is common to experience noise and feedback,” NASA noted.
NASA emphasized that such sounds have no technical impact on the crew, the Starliner, or station operations. “The crew is asked to contact mission control when they hear sounds originating in the comm system. The speaker feedback Wilmore reported has no technical impact to the crew, Starliner, or station operations, including Starliner’s uncrewed undocking from the station no earlier than Friday, September 6,” the agency added.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to depart the ISS on Friday and return to Earth without astronauts onboard. This uncrewed return marks a significant step in Boeing’s efforts to provide a reliable means of transportation to and from the ISS.
The incident highlights the complexities of space communication systems and underscores the importance of thorough monitoring to ensure the safety and comfort of astronauts aboard the ISS.
