NASA Astronaut Reports Strange Noise from Starliner: What's Behind It?

Monday, 2 September 2024, 03:49

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore reported a 'strange noise' coming from the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as it prepared for its return to Earth. This unusual sound was captured and transmitted to Mission Control, raising concerns about potential issues with the spacecraft or its connection to the International Space Station (ISS). The investigation by NASA and Boeing is currently ongoing.
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NASA Astronaut Reports Strange Noise from Starliner: What's Behind It?

Investigation of the Strange Noise from Starliner

A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) reported hearing a ‘strange noise’ from the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, just before its scheduled autopilot return to Earth. Astronaut Butch Wilmore captured this sound and communicated it to Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on August 31, 2024.

The Sound and Its Investigation

Wilmore described the noise as coming through the spacecraft’s speaker, transmitting the sound to ground control. On the recording posted on YouTube, a pulsating sound at regular intervals can be heard. While Mission Control initially struggled to identify it, they later noted it resembled a ‘sonar ping’.

  • Wilmore recorded the sound close to the speaker.
  • Mission Control acknowledged hearing it after a second listen.
  • This recording will be analyzed further by the engineering team.

Potential sources of the noise include a connection issue between the ISS and the Starliner or a malfunction within the spacecraft itself. NASA and Boeing are actively investigating this anomaly.

Upcoming Starliner Mission

The Starliner is set to return to Earth without its astronauts on September 6, 2024, with a landing scheduled in the New Mexico desert. NASA previously announced that astronauts will utilize a SpaceX Crew Dragon for their return to Earth in February 2025.

In June 2024, complications arose when astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were delayed on the ISS due to helium leaks and thruster complications within the Starliner.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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