spacetoday.net: NASA finds no evidence of intoxicated astronauts

Posted: Thu, Aug 30, 2007, 8:05 AM ET (1205 GMT)
NASA

An internal investigation by NASA has failed to turn up any proof that astronauts were intoxicated immediately before spaceflights, contrary to the claims of an earlier independent study. The investigation, led by Bryan O'Connor, a former astronaut and current head of safety and mission assurance, included interviews with 90 astronauts and other staff involved with Shuttle and Soyuz launches as well as the review of thousands of records. O'Connor said that the investigation failed to turn up any evidence that any astronaut was intoxicated during launch preparations. The investigation came in response to an independent panel commissioned by NASA to study astronaut health issues; its final report last month claimed that on at least two occasions astronauts were so intoxicated they posed a flight safety risk. NASA also said it would begin planning for drug and alcohol testing of astronauts, pursuant to requirements of a 1991 law that the agency had not previously implemented.