NASA explains the mysterious sound heard on the Starliner spacecraft where two astronauts are trapped

A mysterious noise from the Starliner spacecraft was reported to NASA by astronauts trapped on the International Space Station after their mission was elongated due to technical failures with the Boeing spacecraft. Butch Wilmore, one of the astronauts, radioed the Johnson Space Center in Houston that “there’s a strange noise coming through a speaker, I don’t know what’s causing it.” The strange sound sparked enormous curiosity, and NASA has finally given an answer after searching for its origin.

The statement reads: “The feedback from the speaker was the result of an audio configuration between the space station and Starliner,” reported NASA, adding that “the space station audio system is complex, allowing for multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and noise and feedback are common.” To protect the astronauts, those aboard are to report any incidents to central command whenever there is a strange noise.

Trapped in outer space

Boeing’s Starliner has encountered technical problems, resulting in astronauts having to remain on board the International Space Station (ISS) since their arrival in June. The issues, including helium leaks and failures in its propulsion system, need to be resolved before the astronauts can return to Earth. The Starliner spacecraft is meant to transport crews to and from the ISS and other destinations in low Earth orbit. Astronauts are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX spacecraft, which is a competitor to Boeing, the company behind the Starliner spacecraft.