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Nasa astronauts 'flew when drunk' Nasa astronauts 'drunk on duty'
(about 1 hour later)
US astronauts were allowed to fly while drunk at least twice, a review panel set up by space agency Nasa has found. US astronauts were cleared to fly while drunk at least twice, a review panel set up by space agency Nasa has found.
The panel was created to look at health issues affecting Nasa crew members after astronaut Lisa Nowak was arrested on kidnapping and assault charges.The panel was created to look at health issues affecting Nasa crew members after astronaut Lisa Nowak was arrested on kidnapping and assault charges.
The drunk astronauts were allowed to fly even though colleagues had raised concerns about safety, the panel found. The drunk astronauts were cleared to fly even though colleagues had raised concerns about safety, the panel found.
The panel also said it found evidence of heavy use of alcohol within the 12-hour pre-flight ban on drinking.The panel also said it found evidence of heavy use of alcohol within the 12-hour pre-flight ban on drinking.
'Act of passion' Surgeons' concerns
The panel's report does not mention anyone by name - including Ms Nowak, who was arrested in February and stands accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut.The panel's report does not mention anyone by name - including Ms Nowak, who was arrested in February and stands accused of attacking her love rival, the girlfriend of a fellow astronaut.
But, when referring to psychological testing of astronauts, the report notes: "Initial screening and recurrent psychological evaluation are not intended to, nor can they, predict a future disorder of conduct or 'act of passion'."
READ THE FINDINGS Panel report in full Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FINDINGS Panel report in full Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The panel report describes "some episodes of heavy alcohol use in the immediate pre-flight period" which, it says, led to safety concerns. The report describes "some episodes of heavy alcohol use in the immediate pre-flight period" which, it says, led to safety concerns.
"Two specific instances were described where astronauts had been so intoxicated prior to flight that flight surgeons and/or fellow astronauts raised concerns to local on-scene leadership regarding flight safety," the report says."Two specific instances were described where astronauts had been so intoxicated prior to flight that flight surgeons and/or fellow astronauts raised concerns to local on-scene leadership regarding flight safety," the report says.
"However, the individuals were still permitted to fly," it adds.
The report did not say when the incidents took place, if pilots where involved or how many astronauts were implicated.
In a news conference, a Nasa official said she could not comment directly on the "troubling alcohol-related incidents" because, due to privacy issues, they were based on "anecdotal material".In a news conference, a Nasa official said she could not comment directly on the "troubling alcohol-related incidents" because, due to privacy issues, they were based on "anecdotal material".
Nasa said however that it was taking the report's findings very seriously and would be launching an internal safety review.Nasa said however that it was taking the report's findings very seriously and would be launching an internal safety review.
It also proposed that astronauts should draw up their own "code of conduct".It also proposed that astronauts should draw up their own "code of conduct".
Computer sabotageComputer sabotage
The report comes at a tough time for the space agency, jolted by revelations on Thursday that a contractor had sabotaged a computer in an unrelated incident.The report comes at a tough time for the space agency, jolted by revelations on Thursday that a contractor had sabotaged a computer in an unrelated incident.
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.
The damage is very obvious, easy to detect William GerstenmaierNasa Associate Administrator for Space Operations In graphics: Space stationThe damage is very obvious, easy to detect William GerstenmaierNasa Associate Administrator for Space Operations In graphics: Space station
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.
Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the computer problem had been discovered earlier this month.Nasa's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Gerstenmaier, said the computer problem had been discovered earlier this month.
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.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.