A Polish touch

This is by no means about the noise caused by the launch of the aforementioned rocket. On board the Crew Dragon Grace spacecraft is Polish mission specialist Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who will lead the IGNIS mission, the first technology and science mission in Poland’s history to be carried out aboard the International Space Station. During the 14-day stay on the ISS, the Polish astronaut will conduct 13 experiments developed by Polish companies, universities, and research institutes. One of them is Wireless Acoustics, proposed by the Polish manufacturer of acoustic measurement devices and software, Svantek.

Research on space noise

Well then, but can sound propagate in a vacuum? We will answer immediately: no, sound does not propagate in a vacuum, and noise research will not be conducted in outer space, but on the International Space Station. The aim of the Wireless Acoustics experiment is to develop a wireless system for continuous noise monitoring that will use MEMS microphones and Bluetooth technology, transmitting data to the EveryWear application. At present, the physiological and medical parameters of astronauts staying on the ISS are under constant supervision, and thanks to the experiment discussed here, continuous monitoring of the crew’s exposure to noise will also be possible.

Sound measurements on the ISS

We now have a general idea of what these noise measurements are about, but another question arises at this point. Why are sound measurements on the International Space Station, and their subsequent analysis, important? It is worth noting here that the concept of noise is not always associated with loud sounds. Noise is an undesirable, harmful acoustic phenomenon that disrupts concentration or even causes stress for the recipient. In a place such as the ISS, there are many factors that can be understood as sources of noise. These include, among others, equipment on board the station, announcements, or communication between other astronauts. The greatest risk, however, lies in the duration of the crew’s exposure to noise. Astronauts stationed on the station often remain there for as long as six months. In such a case, we can speak of prolonged exposure to undesirable acoustic phenomena, which can be critical to well-being, fatigue, and even the health of the recipients.

Noise in space is similar to noise on Earth

And finally, we can move on to the question raised in the article’s title: how is noise in space similar to noise on Earth? The similarities may be much greater than one might initially expect. Everyone has been in a situation where the hum, or the bothersome “beeping” of a device, or even other people’s conversations make it difficult to maintain focus. The feeling of fatigue after even a short time spent in a crowded place, such as a railway station where the noise of travelers blends with announcements from loudspeakers, is also well known. Medical staff and patients have probably often wished to turn off the loud medical equipment in the wards, while office workers pray every day that no one will use that old printer. Each of us, just like astronauts on the space station, is exposed to noise every day, both at work and outside it. Controlling it is therefore essential to improving well-being, sleep quality, and the ability to concentrate.

IGNIS mission

We are therefore keeping our fingers crossed for the mission led by Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and are eagerly awaiting the results of the research on noise exposure. Improving acoustic comfort on the International Space Station may contribute to greater awareness of the risks associated with noise exposure, as well as to actions aimed at reducing it.