The noises heard on the Starliner spacecraft are audio feedback

September 3 () –

NASA explained that the “pulsating sound” heard aboard the International Space Station, coming from a speaker on the Starliner spacecraft docked at the orbital complex, responds to audio feedback.

“The speaker feedback was the result of an audio setup between the space station and Starliner. The space station’s audio system is complex, allowing for multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and it is common to experience noise and feedback,” the space agency explained. on a mission blog Regarding the hearing of noises on the Starliner spacecraft reported by astronaut Butch Wilmore, which later ceased.

Feedback, also known as acoustic feedback or Larsen effect, is a phenomenon resulting from feedback, when for example a microphone picks up a source that is in turn being emitted by a nearby speaker, producing an annoying beep, more commonly known as coupling.

NASA explains that the crew is asked to contact mission control when they hear sounds originating from the communication system.

“The speaker feedback (the coupling), Wilmore said, has no technical impact on the crew, Starliner or station operations, including uncrewed undocking of Starliner from the station no earlier than Friday, September 6.”