NASA can explain Starliner’s spooky, pulsing sounds

Astronaut Butch Wilmore reported strange noises coming from Boeing Starliner while aboard the International Space Station. The perplexing pinging sounds emitted from a malfunctioning speaker on the spacecraft raised concerns among the crew and NASA mission control.

Wilmore described the sound as unfamiliar and asked mission control to investigate the source. The audio, resembling echoes heard in submarines or sci-fi films, was recorded and shared with NASA experts for analysis.

Former astronaut Chris Hadfield expressed his concerns about the mysterious noise, highlighting the importance of addressing such issues promptly. After a day of speculation, NASA confirmed that the pulsing sound had ceased, attributing it to audio configuration issues between Starliner and the ISS.

Despite the unnerving nature of the feedback, NASA assured that it posed no technical impact on the crew or operations. Starliner’s upcoming undocking was unaffected, and the crew continued their mission on the ISS.

The journey of Boeing’s Starliner has been marred by technical difficulties since its launch in June. The spacecraft’s crew, including Wilmore and Suni Williams, have faced challenges with malfunctioning thrusters and extended their stay on the ISS as part of NASA’s Crew-9 rotation.

With their return to Earth delayed until February 2025, the astronauts have ample time to conduct experiments, perform maintenance tasks, and explore the mysteries of space—including any more eerie sounds that may arise.