NASA finds no evidence of intoxicated astronauts
Posted: Thu, Aug 30, 2007, 8:05 AM ET (1205 GMT)
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.
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.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 4
Viasat Awarded Task Order For Space Force Satcom Services
Aviation Week — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) A Fidelity fund is now valuing its stake in SpaceX at more than $2.7 billion
Business Insider — 6:59 am ET (1159 GMT) Elon Musk’s glaring conflicts of interest deserve more attention
The Hill — 6:57 am ET (1157 GMT) Airbus Hires Goldman for European Space Tie-Up to Rival Musk
Bloomberg News — 6:55 am ET (1155 GMT) Microbes in space: how bacteria could help sustain long-distance space travel
Nature — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) |
