On June 12, 2024, an audio clip of astronauts in distress was broadcast on NASA's YouTube channel in error. The clip, which was from an ongoing simulation where crew members and ground teams train for various scenarios in space, caused a stir on social media. However, NASA confirmed that all members of the International Space Station (ISS) are safe and there is no real emergency aboard the ISS.
The audio clip described a scenario where an astronaut was suffering from decompression sickness and needed to be placed in a suit pumped full of pure oxygen as best effort treatment. The speaker, who was apparently a flight surgeon, mentioned concern for severe DCS hits and even suggested ordering an emergency evacuation from the space station.
Despite the alarming nature of the audio clip, NASA clarified that it was not related to a real emergency. SpaceX also confirmed that its crew training in Hawthorne, California is safe and healthy as is the Dragon spacecraft docked to the ISS.
The incident occurred just a day before astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Matt Dominick were scheduled to perform a spacewalk on June 13, 2024 to remove a broken radio frequency box from an antenna on the space station. The spacewalk went ahead as planned, with the astronauts successfully completing their mission.
The incident highlights the importance of training simulations in preparing astronauts for various scenarios in space. While it caused a brief scare on social media, it ultimately served as a reminder of the rigorous training and preparation that goes into every space mission.
