NASA astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore has reported a mysterious ‘pulsating noise’ emanating from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS). The sound, described as similar to a sonar ping, was detected on August 31 and has puzzled both the astronauts and mission control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.This unusual occurrence is the latest in a series of technical issues that have plagued the Starliner mission. The spacecraft, which launched on June 5, 2024, was originally scheduled for a week-long mission but has faced multiple delays due to problems including thruster troubles and helium leaks. As a result, Wilmore and fellow astronaut Sunita Williams have been stranded on the ISS since June 6, far longer than initially planned.In light of these ongoing challenges, NASA has made the decision to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, now scheduled for February 2025. This change has necessitated adjustments to other planned missions, with NASA bumping two unnamed astronauts from an upcoming SpaceX crew to accommodate the return of Wilmore and Williams.Meanwhile, the Starliner is set to attempt an unmanned return to Earth on September 6, 2024. NASA and Boeing engineers will be closely monitoring this autopilot descent, as it could provide crucial data for improving the spacecraft’s systems.The situation has highlighted the ongoing competition between Boeing and SpaceX in the commercial crew program. Some Boeing employees have expressed frustration at relying on SpaceX for the rescue, with one anonymous employee telling the New York Post, ‘We hate SpaceX. We talk [expletive] about them all the time, and now they’re bailing us out.’ As investigations into the mysterious noise and other technical issues continue, the incident underscores the complexities and challenges of human spaceflight. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the agency’s commitment to astronaut safety, stating that the extended stay in space for Wilmore and Williams is necessary to ensure a safe return.
Key points
- A mysterious pulsating noise, similar to a sonar ping, has been detected on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft docked to the ISS.
- Due to ongoing technical issues with the Starliner, NASA has decided to return astronauts Wilmore and Williams using a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.
- The Starliner will attempt an unmanned return to Earth on September 6, 2024, providing an opportunity to gather crucial data for improving the spacecraft.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on the February 2025 return date for the astronauts, one source mentions a September 24, 2024 launch date for the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which conflicts with the widely reported February 2025 date.
