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osiris · Jul 28, 2007, 02:19 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

I'm not sure if anyone else here sees the humor in this, but apparently Shuttle astronauts are flying the shuttle while thoroughly inebriated. My first thought was Burt Reynolds as Hooper in some kind of "Hooper In Space" movie - cases of Bud in the cockpit, etc...

"interviews with both flight surgeons and astronauts identified some episodes of heavy use of alcohol by astronauts in the immediate preflight period. . . . Alcohol is freely used in crew quarters"

PB2K · Jul 28, 2007, 02:34 AM

I have always supported the idea of a special driving school for alcoholics. They are far less dangerous when they know how to drink and drive.

Sky Captain · Jul 28, 2007, 08:30 AM

I dunno about the drunk astronauts.
I'm unsure what their liftoff proceedures but as soon as the cabin was at pressure altitude and they were out of their suits, they'd pass out.

I had drunk airmen(that's an Air Force soilder) pass out if they were drunk on one of the Hercs.
They got a week of maintenance from me.(washing puke out of planes).
Usually a shot of oxygen from the cannules would metabolize the alcohol quicker.
We found a sargent in a mask in one of our hercs, trying to metabolize off a drunk.

residentEvil · 09:00 AM

Petet? meet repeat?

http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lou...-its-a-mirage/

chabig · Jul 28, 2007, 08:59 AM

I don't believe this story for a minute. First, there are so many procedures to follow, checklists to run, and actions to take that a drunk person simply couldn't perform. Second, I don't believe anyone would put the space program in jeopardy by letting someone fly intoxicated. Third, I believe the astronauts are too disciplined and under too much pressure to perform that they wouldn't put their mission or their reputation at risk.

moonmonkey · Jul 28, 2007, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by chabig

I don't believe this story for a minute. First, there are so many procedures to follow, checklists to run, and actions to take that a drunk person simply couldn't perform. Second, I don't believe anyone would put the space program in jeopardy by letting someone fly intoxicated. Third, I believe the astronauts are too disciplined and under too much pressure to perform that they wouldn't put their mission or their reputation at risk.

Nah, I think they were wrecked.

osiris · Jul 28, 2007, 10:41 AM

I think so too.
I'm also pretty sure that most (if not all) of the Shuttle's operations are pre-programmed and control can be remotely assumed. I can't prove this, but I remember reading about this years ago.

The outrage does exist because it is alleged that a drunken few have jeopardized many missions, along with the reputations of the space program. Sure there's always a chance that the story is fabricated, and I hope it is.

MacosNerd · Jul 28, 2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Petet? meet repeat?

http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lou...-its-a-mirage/

except how in the world would we know a thread about a mirage is discussing drunk astronauts?

Back to the subject at hand
This is another black eye for Nasa, I have no idea in this day and age they would let someone get behind a multi billion dollar spacecraft drunk. Really is irresponsible on both sides, the astronauts and the people who cleared them

amazing · Jul 28, 2007, 12:44 PM

Well, I've always thought that "Muppets from Space" was a fact-based documentary of the US Space program. And now it's been confirmed!

And here's the trailer,

Muppets from Space (1999) - Trailers

iranfromthezoo · Jul 28, 2007, 01:13 PM

so could these guys get charged with a DUI? or DWI?

Sky Captain · Jul 28, 2007, 06:47 PM

They still have to have a pilot's license to actually pilot the vehicle.
I believe only the captain has to hold a commercial certificate if not ATP.
So he's still regulated by FAA rules in FAA airspace.
Meaning he's in violation of FAR 91.17.

design219 · Jul 28, 2007, 08:11 PM

Is it technically flying a plane if all they do is glide it back to earth? Do gliders require the same license as powered aircraft?

Sky Captain · Jul 28, 2007, 08:19 PM

Yes, it's a pilot's license, non powered flight.
And technically the orbiter is a complex aircraft/spacecraft.
Which requires another endorsement.

chabig · Jul 28, 2007, 08:22 PM

They don't need a pilot's license for the shuttle. I'm sure it's considered a government vehicle just like any military aircraft. Military pilots don't require FAA pilot's licenses.

Chris

design219 · Jul 28, 2007, 08:25 PM

Government yes, but military, no.

Sky Captain · Jul 28, 2007, 08:27 PM

All orbiter pilots are test pilots.
They hold a civilian pilot's license.

I had a military airman certificateand ratings to fly Hercs.

chabig · Jul 28, 2007, 09:32 PM

Military pilots (even test pilots) are not required to hold FAA licenses. I speak from experience--I was a military fighter/test pilot.

I think there is a difference between the Army and the Air Force/Navy. I think the Army does issue certificates to its pilots. But the Air Force does not, and I don't think the Navy does either.

Chris

Gator Lager · Jul 28, 2007, 10:26 PM

I've been biting my lips holding back. But dammit, the press are F(&^%&*G vultures. NO WAY, AIN'T NO WAY an astronaut drunk or not got near one of the shuttles. Trust me, I'd know. The KSC grapevine is the fastest form of communication on the Cape. Now I can't say one hasn't made a toast the day before or not. But on launch day. NO WAY.

At one time, they had around 200 Astronauts in the waiting. And they would not do anything that would get them bumped or removed from the Astronaut corp. NASA is very image conscious and anything that makes waves gets attention. Like now.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin don't put up with any shite. Trust me I and a few colleagues got called the carpet not long after he took command. But that's another story.

I've made this statement before about the press, they are talking heads trying to out preform each other at any cost. To sum it up. THEY SUCK.

And the Astronaut's are on loan/assigned from the military branches. After Lisa Nowak was given the boot by NASA, she went back to the Navy. Which is bad for her, because (and chabig can testify) she falls under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) now and that's a bad thing for her. After Orange County is through with her she stands before the mast/court-martial. In other words she's screwed.

MacosNerd · Jul 29, 2007, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Gator Lager

I've been biting my lips holding back. But dammit, the press are F(&^%&*G vultures. NO WAY, AIN'T NO WAY an astronaut drunk or not got near one of the shuttles. Trust me, I'd know.

Trust you, or trust just about every news source especially since they're quoting names, hmmm. I'm thinking this news story has some validity. The news articles did not just pull this out of the air and since Nasa has not quickly refuted this but rather is investigating it on its own not means there's some validity to it

Sky Captain · Jul 29, 2007, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by chabig

Military pilots (even test pilots) are not required to hold FAA licenses. I speak from experience--I was a military fighter/test pilot.

I think there is a difference between the Army and the Air Force/Navy. I think the Army does issue certificates to its pilots. But the Air Force does not, and I don't think the Navy does either.

Chris

Super!
Where?
Cali? For Boeing or Lockheed?

I had a certificate in the AirForce. And ratings.

chabig · Jul 29, 2007, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Sky Captain

Super!
Where?
Cali? For Boeing or Lockheed?

I had a certificate in the AirForce. And ratings.

USAF TPS 91A, 5 years at Edwards, 3 years in the F-15 CTF, then 2 years as fixed wing performance branch chief at Pax River. I have many astronaut friends and I interviewed twice (not successfully of course).

SVass · Jul 29, 2007, 12:18 PM

Not all who fly on the Shuttle are pilots. Sometimes, they send mission specialists. All are called "astronuts".

In the early days (Gemini, Apollo), we would occasionally see an astronaut at "The Mousetrap" trying to impress the ladies or unwinding after a day of training. This was not on a launch day. sam

design219 · Jul 29, 2007, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by SVass

...we would occasionally see an astronaut at "The Mousetrap" trying to impress the ladies...

I always thought just being an astronaut was enough to do that... sort of like being a rock star or high profile professional athlete.

Gator Lager · Jul 29, 2007, 01:16 PM

[QUOTE=MacosNerd;3442111]Trust you, or trust just about every news source especially since they're quoting names, hmmm.

I work at the Cape and on the Shuttles and I know some of the Astronauts. And I know that the majority of times what the press writes and reports about us is total bullshit. I didn't say that the Astro's were saints. What they do and how they act when not at the Cape is a different story. They are private citizens and it's none of my business. As for NASA not putting down such rumors, they did what they should have and said what was said.
'We are investigating'

Not pointing fingers but we have flown several Russians and it could have been them ?

You don't know me and you don't have to trust me, but I'll stand by our Astronauts and you can believe who/what you want.

Mel O. Drahmatik · Jul 29, 2007, 01:53 PM

At least this didn't fly the shuttle to the sun.

Stop being to dramatic.

residentEvil · Jul 29, 2007, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by MacosNerd

except how in the world would we know a thread about a mirage is discussing drunk astronauts?

Back to the subject at hand
This is another black eye for Nasa, I have no idea in this day and age they would let someone get behind a multi billion dollar spacecraft drunk. Really is irresponsible on both sides, the astronauts and the people who cleared them

a search of NASA before posting would have showed you. course, why would someone search?

The Godfather · Jul 29, 2007, 06:45 PM

Russian official denies Soyuz astronaut drunk - USATODAY.com

chabig · Jul 29, 2007, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by MacosNerd

Trust you, or trust just about every news source especially since they're quoting names, hmmm.his but rather is investigating it on its own not means there's some validity to it

Can you point to even one news story that's quoting names? I haven't found a single one. Everyone is quoting "unnamed" sources.

Sky Captain · Jul 29, 2007, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

USAF TPS 91A, 5 years at Edwards, 3 years in the F-15 CTF, then 2 years as fixed wing performance branch chief at Pax River. I have many astronaut friends and I interviewed twice (not successfully of course).

Uber cool job.
I was just an airlift Herc pilot.
Did a 12 year stint and left the USAF.
I was never stationed anywhere more than 3 years. Mostly Texas.
I did get 9 months in Ramstein, Germany though after GW1, then to Africa.
Finished my commission with the 94th airlift at Dobbins.

MacosNerd · Jul 29, 2007, 07:14 PM

Yeah I guess they don't fly drunk, and they don't travel halfway across the nation wearing a diaper to stalk someone.

Come on, you'll have to do better then to say "trust me." It was an independent panel that uncovered this chaired by Air Force Col. Richard Bachmann Jr.

Sorry if you blindly trust what nasa says but it seems more realistic that they have done that then otherwise, i.e., airline pilots trying to fly a plane after having a few too many

chabig · Jul 29, 2007, 08:15 PM

I hope you never sit on a jury, dear MacosNerd..."well the prosecutor said he did it so that's good enough for me!"

Come on. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. That's what the investigation will find out. But right now, it's far more likely that they didn't.

The fact that there is an investigation doesn't imply guilt. It simply means that there is an honest effort being made to find out. If NASA didn't investigate, they'd be accused of sweeping it under the rug.

chabig · Jul 29, 2007, 08:17 PM

Skycaptain, I am going to guess your age between 45 and 50. Am I close?

Sky Captain · Jul 30, 2007, 08:10 AM

Quite correct.
Great, remind me I'm old.

chabig · Jul 30, 2007, 08:20 AM

No prob, young guy. I'm 46.

ghporter · Jul 30, 2007, 08:26 AM

Who isn't between 45 and 50? It's THE age.

While I was never a candidate for spaceflight, I did get to ride the Air Force centrifuge at Brooks. Several times. I got up to 9+ Gs on that puppy. Not fun. But it's the same centrifuge that the Shuttle crews qualify on. My 9+ run was right before they reconfigured the gondola for the shuttle seats and John Glenn did his qualification run.

I thought the amazing thing was that I did my training in an F-16 seat (nicely reclined, easier on the rider), but my 9+ run was in an F-15 seat (bolt upright).

Kevin · Jul 30, 2007, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Who isn't between 45 and 50? It's THE age for colonostomies.

Fixed.

chabig · Jul 30, 2007, 08:59 AM

Yes. The F-16 (at a 30° recline) was great for Gs. I did 9 Gs for 30 seconds in it. The F-15 seat, and all other fighter seats sit at a 13° recline (if I recall correctly).

That's pretty neat that you rode the centrifuge.