Nasa is investigating the sabotage of a computer due to be flown to the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle Endeavour.
Nasa found cut cables inside the electronics box, which was being prepared to be loaded into Endeavour'screw cabin for transport next month to the $100 billion space station. Nasa was told of the sabotage by a subcontractor.
Nasa revealed the sabotage a day ahead of releasing studies that the publication Aviation Weekreported had found astronauts were allowed to fly on at least two occasions despite warnings they were so drunk they posed a flight risk.
Nasa managers believe there is ample time to repair the computer before Endeavour'sliftoff on August 7th. The shuttle is scheduled to spend up to ten days at the space station to install a new structural beam and deliver supplies.
The Nasa officials declined to discuss Aviation Week'sreport that a panel had found that astronauts were allowed to fly drunk at least twice, despite objections from colleagues and flight surgeons.
The publication said the panel, set up by Nasa to study astronaut health issues after the arrest in February of former astronaut Lisa Nowak on assault charges, also reported "heavy use of alcohol" by astronauts within 12 hours of launch, which is against Nasa rules.