NASA Admits Sabotage, Drunk Astronauts

NASA promised immediate action today on embarrassing reports of an intentionally damaged computer and inebriated astronauts. An administrator said an internal safety review, staff briefing on new policy, and official 12-hour pre-flight ban on alcohol would follow an independent panel’s finding of “heavy” alcohol use by astronauts before flights.

Panelists also recommended NASA update its screening process to address behavioral issues like alcohol use and adopt an astronaut code of conduct. Separately, NASA confirmed an internal probe is underway to investigate the sabotage of a computer used to monitor sensors. A spokesman told CNN the computer would be repaired and ready for the agency’s next mission on August 7. (More NASA stories.)