Topic: Astronauts Flew Drunk

[Reno]

I must admit if i was going to be at the tip of a rocket the size of a skyscraper being blasted off into space i would be tempted to take a swig myself.

Aviation Week is reporting that NASA is poised to release a study of astronaut health that indicates on at least two  occasions, astronauts flew even after flight surgeons said they were too intoxicated to be safe.

The panel, also reported "heavy use of alcohol" by astronauts before launch, within the standard 12-hour "bottle to throttle" rule applied to NASA flight crew members.

The study, due to be released by NASA Friday, was commissioned after the arrest of Astronaut Lisa Nowak.

Nowak is charged with attempted kidnapping and other crimes stemming from her February confrontation with her rival in a romantic triangle, Air Force officer Colleen Shipman. Nowak sprayed pepper spray at Shipman as Shipman drove away, police said.

Nowak is to appear in court for an Aug. 24 hearing to suppress her statement to police on  the night of her arrest.

The report does not mention Nowak or any other astronaut by name, Aviation Week said.

LINK

[GillE]

Darned right, Bob!

astronauts flew ... too intoxicated to be safe

As if it's a safe game, even when they're sober.  With my dislike of heights, I'd have to be sozzled to even go up the gantry into the rocket, never mind sitting their while some monkey lit the blue touchpaper and retires to a safe distance.

Gill

[Clive]

After the Challenger and Columbia disasters, both of which were avoidable, I wouldn't ride on even a bicycle constructed by NASA.  No wonder they are tanked up to the eyeballs!

[Sandra]

Dont forget that NASA sources its components from the cheapest possible supplier 

[sam]

they also dont say when this was... if it was 40 years ago then I reckon it was probably more prevelant