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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Space computer 'sabotage' probed | |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Nasa is investigating the apparent sabotage of a computer due to be flown to the International Space Station. | |
| The US space agency said the damage to wiring in a network box was intentional and obvious, but said it could be repaired before take-off on 7 August. | The US space agency said the damage to wiring in a network box was intentional and obvious, but said it could be repaired before take-off on 7 August. |
| Nasa stressed that the lives of its astronauts had not been put at risk. | Nasa stressed that the lives of its astronauts had not been put at risk. |
| The discovery came as an independent health panel was reported to have found that astronauts had been allowed to fly after drinking alcohol. | |
| The panel found that on two occasions Nasa astronauts had been allowed to fly despite warnings from flight surgeons and other astronauts that they were so drunk they posed a safety risk, flight journal Aviation Week and Space Technology reported. | |
| The panel was set up by Nasa to study health issues following the arrest on kidnapping and assault charges of the astronaut, Lisa Nowak. | The panel was set up by Nasa to study health issues following the arrest on kidnapping and assault charges of the astronaut, Lisa Nowak. |
| Ms Nowak is accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut. | Ms Nowak is accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut. |
| The findings of the panel do not deal with Ms Nowak directly or mention any other astronaut by name. | |
| The official review into astronauts' medical and behavioural health is expected to be released by Nasa on Friday. | The official review into astronauts' medical and behavioural health is expected to be released by Nasa on Friday. |
| The agency has so far refused to comment on the allegations. | The agency has so far refused to comment on the allegations. |
| 'Sub-contractor' | 'Sub-contractor' |
| Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the apparent sabotage of a non-essential computer had been discovered earlier this month. | Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the apparent sabotage of a non-essential computer had been discovered earlier this month. |
| The damage is very obvious, easy to detect William GerstenmaierNasa Associate Administrator for Space Operations In graphics: Space station | The damage is very obvious, easy to detect William GerstenmaierNasa Associate Administrator for Space Operations In graphics: Space station |
| "The damage is very obvious, easy to detect," he told reporters. "It's not a mystery to us." | "The damage is very obvious, easy to detect," he told reporters. "It's not a mystery to us." |
| Mr Gerstenmaier said wires had been found cut inside the unit before it had been loaded onto the shuttle. | Mr Gerstenmaier said wires had been found cut inside the unit before it had been loaded onto the shuttle. |
| The computer is designed to collect and relay data from sensors which detect vibrations and forces on the space station's external trusses. | The computer is designed to collect and relay data from sensors which detect vibrations and forces on the space station's external trusses. |
| "It's currently being investigated by the [Nasa] inspector general's office," he added. | "It's currently being investigated by the [Nasa] inspector general's office," he added. |
| The equipment had been supplied by a sub-contractor, he added. | The equipment had been supplied by a sub-contractor, he added. |
| Mr Gerstenmaier said engineers would try to repair the hardware before take-off in two weeks' time, but that the mission would not be delayed. | Mr Gerstenmaier said engineers would try to repair the hardware before take-off in two weeks' time, but that the mission would not be delayed. |
| The damage is believed to be the first act of sabotage of flight equipment Nasa has discovered. | The damage is believed to be the first act of sabotage of flight equipment Nasa has discovered. |