Drunk in space?

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Some American astronauts have flown drunk, an independent study of astronaut health issues found. The report, disclosed last week by the publication Aviation Week, includes anonymous allegations that one NASA astronaut was visibly impaired when he boarded a Russian Soyuz rocket bound for the International Space Station. Another inebriated astronaut allegedly piloted a military jet after a scheduled shuttle flight was scrubbed. “Alcohol is freely used in crew quarters,” the report said. Neither NASA nor the report’s authors would confirm any specific allegations, though NASA said it plans to tighten up rules relating to alcohol use. NASA commissioned the study after former space shuttle flier Lisa Nowak was arrested earlier this year for allegedly stalking and attacking a romantic rival.

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