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| US astronauts 'flew while drunk' | US astronauts 'flew while drunk' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A panel reviewing health issues at Nasa has found that US astronauts have been allowed to fly while intoxicated at least twice, an aviation magazine says. | A panel reviewing health issues at Nasa has found that US astronauts have been allowed to fly while intoxicated at least twice, an aviation magazine says. |
| The panel also found heavy alcohol use within the 12-hour "bottle to throttle" ban for flight crew, according to Aviation Week and Space Technology. | The panel also found heavy alcohol use within the 12-hour "bottle to throttle" ban for flight crew, according to Aviation Week and Space Technology. |
| The independent panel is due to present its findings later on Friday. Nasa has declined to comment on the allegations. | The independent panel is due to present its findings later on Friday. Nasa has declined to comment on the allegations. |
| Separately, Nasa confirmed that a contractor had sabotaged a computer. | Separately, Nasa confirmed that a contractor had sabotaged a computer. |
| The damage to wiring in a network box - which is to be taken to the International Space Station (ISS) - was intentional and obvious, the agency said. | The damage to wiring in a network box - which is to be taken to the International Space Station (ISS) - was intentional and obvious, the agency said. |
| However it stressed that the equipment was not essential and that astronauts' lives had not been at risk. An investigation is under way. | However it stressed that the equipment was not essential and that astronauts' lives had not been at risk. An investigation is under way. |
| Warnings | Warnings |
| Meanwhile the health panel is preparing to announce its conclusions. | Meanwhile the health panel is preparing to announce its conclusions. |
| It was set up following the arrest on kidnapping and assault charges of Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak in February. | It was set up following the arrest on kidnapping and assault charges of Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak in February. |
| 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 |
| She is accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut. | She is accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut. |
| The panel's findings do not deal with Ms Nowak directly or mention any other crew by name. | The panel's findings do not deal with Ms Nowak directly or mention any other crew by name. |
| According to Aviation Week, the panel found that on at least two occasions astronauts flew after doctors and fellow astronauts had warned that they were intoxicated and posed a flight-safety risk. | According to Aviation Week, the panel found that on at least two occasions astronauts flew after doctors and fellow astronauts had warned that they were intoxicated and posed a flight-safety risk. |
| The report did not say when the alleged incidents took place, or whether they involved pilots. | The report did not say when the alleged incidents took place, or whether they involved pilots. |
| Regarding the sabotage allegations, Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the computer problem had been discovered earlier this month. | Regarding the sabotage allegations, Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the computer problem had been discovered earlier this month. |
| "The damage is very obvious, easy to detect," he told reporters on Thursday. "It's not a mystery to us." | "The damage is very obvious, easy to detect," he told reporters on Thursday. "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. |
| 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 7 August, when the space shuttle Endeavour is due to fly to ISS, 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. |