NASA audio leak detailing emergency on ISS creates panic; space agency dismisses concerns

On June 12, (Wednesday) at around 5:30 pm CDT, NASA accidentally aired audio from amedical drill beingconducted at the International Space Station on its live stream. This created a panic amongst the audience as they thought a crew member was in a critical condition.

Due to some glitch, NASA's live stream was interrupted by a message, "temporarily interrupted" and the audience was able to hear the audio of a medical drill which caused grave concern among the viewers.

Gauging the severity of the situation, NASA was forced to deny that there was an emergency at the International Space Station (ISS). NASA's ISS account took to X and wrote, “There is no emergency situation going on aboard the International Space Station. Audio was inadvertently misrouted from an ongoing simulation where crew members and ground teams train for various scenarios in space.”

“So if we could get the commander back in his suit, get it sealed … for suited hyperbaric treatment … Prior to sealing, closing the visor and pressurising the suit, I would like you to check his pulse one more time,” a flight surgeon working at the SpaceX centre was heard saying in the audio that was accidentally aired on YouTube.

NASA assured that the audio was from a simulation to prepare the team for any adversity they may encounter aboard and not a real crisis. Putting the viewers at ease, they said that the crew was healthy and safe and in fact in their 'sleeping period' when this audio aired.

(With inputs from agencies)