Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A crew member aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner reported hearing unusual "sonar-like" sounds through a speaker within the spacecraft. The origin of these noises remains unknown, sparking widespread interest and speculation.
The peculiar noises, described as resembling submarine sonar or tapping from outside the spacecraft, were only audible through the speaker. The sounds could not be heard from any other part of the vehicle, prompting further investigation.
The incident was reported to mission control in Houston, and a recording of the mysterious sound quickly circulated on social media platform X, leading to a flurry of responses and theories.
The audio clip prompted a mix of humorous and speculative reactions online. Some users jokingly suggested supernatural causes, while others likened the sounds to those from popular science fiction movies like *Alien* and *Star Trek*.
Beyond the light-hearted theories, some users proposed more technical explanations, including the possibility of geomagnetic pulses or electromagnetic interference (EMI) as potential causes of the noises.
Experts also considered other potential causes, such as an audio system feedback loop, issues with the speaker and microphone setup, or the speaker inadvertently picking up signals from nearby satellites or devices.
The strange noise incident adds to a series of challenges faced by Boeing's Starliner during its mission, including engine failures and helium leaks, which led to two astronauts being stranded on the ISS. The event further complicates Boeing’s efforts to establish the Starliner as a reliable spacecraft under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.