NASA inadvertently broadcast a simulation involving astronauts being treated for decompression sickness on the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, leading to speculation of an emergency on social media.
At approximately 5:28 p.m US Central Time (2228 GMT), NASA’s live YouTube channel aired audio suggesting a crew member was suffering from decompression sickness (DCS), according to NASA’s official ISS account on X.
A female voice on the recording can be heard instructing crew members to “get commander back in his suit,” check his pulse, and administer oxygen, later describing his condition as “tenuous.” NASA has not confirmed the authenticity of the recordings or republished the audio.
Several space enthusiasts shared the audio link on X, warning of a serious emergency aboard the ISS.
In response, the ISS account clarified: “This audio was inadvertently misrouted from an ongoing simulation where crew members and ground teams train for various scenarios in space and is not related to a real emergency. There is no emergency situation going on aboard the International Space Station.”
Decompression sickness, caused by nitrogen or other gas bubbles in the bloodstream due to a change in atmospheric pressure, can impact the central nervous system and is potentially fatal. It is commonly known as “the bends.”
At the time of the broadcast, ISS crew members were in their sleep period, preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT on Thursday, according to the ISS account.
Following the accidental broadcast, NASA’s ISS YouTube channel now displays an error message indicating the feed has been interrupted.
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