Griffin Referred To Launch Day Drunkenness As 'Urban
Legend'
Col. Richard Bachmann
Jr., who spearheaded a controversial astronaut health study that
brought to light allegations of astronauts flying drunk, told
Congress Thursday the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
is hindering open communications when it blows off reports of
astronaut drinking and behavior problems.
Bachmann Jr. said NASA's apparent disregard of its astronauts'
mental health promoted the reluctance of flight surgeons and other
astronauts to report inappropriate behavior, according to the
Associated Press. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin called reports
of astronaut drunkenness an urban legend.
"Public statements that such things are simply impossible,
challenging the veracity of the findings, referring to them as
unproven allegations or urban legends, rather than acknowledging
how difficult raising such concerns can be, do not encourage
openness and safety, make future reporting even less likely, and
increase the risk of future mishaps or incidents," Bachmann told
the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics in Washington.
As ANN reported, Griffin
called for investigations by the NASA Astronaut Health Care System
Review Committee into the physical and emotional states of the
agency's astronauts, following the February arrest of
then-astronaut Lisa Nowak.
NASA said it found no supporting evidence on reports of
astronauts flying into space while inebriated during its internal
investigation. NASA safety chief Bryan O'Connor said he "was unable
to verify any case in which an astronaut or spaceflight crew member
was impaired on launch day." This is contrary to what had been
reported just a month prior.
Bachmann said NASA's inability to turn up anything related to
being drunk on the day of a launch doesn't prove it didn't happen,
just that those who spoke to him didn't speak to the internal
investigators.
"We believe this may represent continued fear and barriers to
communication and may be a cause for greater, not less concern," he
said.
Griffin said Thursday recent negative situations -- Nowak,
the murder-suicide at Johnson Space Center last year as well as the
allegations of alcohol abuse -- have tarnished NASA's image.
He said several of the health panel's recommendations would be
implemented and another survey, this time an anonymous one, to see
if the drinking or any other allegations surface.
"It is clear that we need to restore confidence in our astronaut
program and there are three ways we can accomplish that goal," said
committee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO).
"First, we need to ensure that NASA carries out the recommended
thorough and anonymous survey. Second, I want NASA to come forward
with a credible plan to implement the panel's recommendations.
Finally, I would like to see NASA provide us with a specific
timetable for implementing the panel's recommendations."
"I don't think anyone can listen to those findings and think all
is well with NASA's astronaut health care system," he said.
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