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.

FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.science.house.gov