Anonymous Survey Shows No Evidence of Drunken Astronauts

HOUSTON — An anonymous survey of astronauts and the doctors who care for them turned up no evidence that astronauts have gotten drunk just before a space launch, contrary to the findings last year of an external panel, NASA said Wednesday.

The only alcohol-related incident mentioned by those surveyed was a bad reaction by one astronaut to mixing alcohol and prescription drugs several days before liftoff, said astronaut Ellen Ochoa, deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. That person was found fit to fly and launched into space as planned. Ochoa declined to reveal further details, citing privacy concerns.

The survey contradicts a 2007 report by a panel of outside experts, who heard unconfirmed reports from NASA personnel of two incidents when an astronaut drank heavily just before a space flight: one on the space shuttle, the other on Russia’s spaceship, which some U.S. astronauts ride to the International Space Station.

To try to confirm the stories, which set off a storm of late-night TV jokes and negative publicity, NASA chief Michael Griffin asked the agency’s head of safety, Bryan O’Connor, to investigate. O’Connor said last year that after extensive interviews, he could find nothing to corroborate the claims made to the independent panel.

The new survey, which was completed by 89% of NASA’s 98 astronauts and all 31 of its flight surgeons, again raises doubts about the allegations of drunkenness.

"We’ve asked every which way we can think of, and we still really haven’t uncovered anything that led us to believe that (drinking) is an issue," Ochoa said. "As (astronauts) prepare for launch, they’re preparing for it as the most serious endeavors of their entire lives."

One possible explanation for the variation in findings could involve the pool of those interviewed. The members of the independent panel spoke to former astronauts. The new survey was answered by only current astronauts.

The report that first mentioned the claims of drunken astronauts was commissioned by NASA to examine astronauts’ health care. It was prompted by former astronaut Lisa Nowak’s alleged stalking and attack of a rival over the affections of astronaut William Oefelein. Nowak and Oefelein have been fired from the astronaut corps. Nowak’s trial has been repeatedly delayed.

Several flight surgeons said the survey should banish doubts about whether astronauts have tried to launch while drunk. "It didn’t happen," said Smith Johnston, a NASA doctor.

Ochoa said NASA plans no major changes to its alcohol policy for astronauts, which forbids alcohol use less than 12 hours before a space flight or a flight in a training jet. The first astronaut code of conduct, a suggestion by the independent panel, will be finalized this year.