Boeing Starliner Experiences Strange Noises in Space

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard the Boeing Starliner have reported a 'strange noise' resembling a sonar ping emanating from the spacecraft, prompting inquiries to Mission Control. Wilmore communicated this issue to NASA as the Starliner prepares for its delayed return to Earth on September 6, 2024, but without its crew due to ongoing technical problems, including helium leaks. The sound was captured and shared widely, drawing reactions from former astronauts and raising concerns about the spacecraft's condition. Mission Control has yet to determine the exact cause of the noise, which could range from a speaker malfunction to interference. This incident adds to Boeing's troubled history with the Starliner program, which has faced multiple delays and failures. Wilmore and Williams are expected to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX spacecraft in February 2025, marking a significant setback for Boeing in its competition with SpaceX for NASA contracts.