Findings of NASA Safety Review Following Astronaut Health Reviews

A NASA safety review has found no evidence to support claims that astronauts were impaired by alcohol when they flew in space. NASA chief of Safety and Mission Assurance Bryan O'Connor conducted the month-long review to evaluate allegations included in the Astronaut Health Care System Review Committee's report, which was released in late July.

Below are the Space Flight Safety Review and openings statements from Administrator Griffin and Bryan O'Connor, Chief, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. A transcript and video of the event are posted below.

In July, NASA released the findings of two studies at news conference in Washington, five months after the agency requested that an independent external committee conduct a comprehensive review of health services available to astronauts. Both studies were initiated in the aftermath of the arrest in February of former astronaut Lisa Nowak.

The first assessment of astronaut behavioral medicine procedures, an internal review, was completed by NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. The second assessment, a broader review by outside experts called the Astronaut Health Care System Review Committee, was organized by NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. Richard Williams.