NASA: No evidence of drunk astronauts

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 30 August 2007 03:43

Science - Space

A review carried out by NASA has found "no evidence" to support allegations that two astronauts flew into space while under the influence of alcohol.

The original claims were made in the course of a crew health review triggered by the arrest of astronaut Lisa Nowak for attempted kidnapping.

"Within the scope and limitations of this review, I was not able to verify any case where an astronaut spaceflight crew member was impaired on launch day," said Bryan O'Connor, NASA director of safety.

While alcohol - mainly beer and wine - is available in the quarters where crews are quarantined ahead of missions, O'Connor's review included a statement from 20 flight surgeons that they had never seen any pre-launch drunken behaviour by astronauts. A 12-hour period of abstinence is expected prior to flight.

NASA administrator Michael Griffin described the claims as an urban legend.